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FIRS: Senate summons Nami over alleged recruitment scandal

Published

6 years ago

August 27, 2020

BARRING any last minute hitch, the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Mohammed Nami, would be making an appearance before the Senate Committee on Public Petitions to answer questions bothering the alleged recruitment scandal at the tax agency.

Nami had been accused of favouring his Nupe relatives by appointing them coordinating directors in the Service.

But Nami argued that the retirement of the directors and appointment of new ones did not contravene the Civil Service rules.

It added that their appointments followed due process, and are in line with the extant laws of the service.

Last May, a petition was submitted to the Committee by aggrieved directors who have been up in arms with the management of the service since their “untimely” retirement.

In the petition, the retired directors reaffirmed their position that their retirement was untimely, and happened “in violation of laid down government policies on retirement and recruitment of director cadre staff by any agency of the federal government”.

Unfortunately, the petition has not been attended to “because of the lockdown imposed by COVID-19”, a source at the National Assembly said.

“(But) the petition will soon be attended to by the committee as leaders of the Senate have been asking for it to be brought forward,” the source said.

The Senate would be looking at six issues when it reconvenes from recess.

The first will be whether FIRS, under Nami, truly appointed four contract staff, namely: Ahmed Musa, Mustapha Ndajumo, Ahmed Ndanusa and Abdullahi Ismaila – who are all of Nupe extraction without following due process.

The committee will also be determining how they subsequently became substantive directors of FIRS within a record period of four months.

Tied to the above is the appropriateness of their appointments into an organisation like FIRS with a retinue of qualified staff available to fill the positions they were appointed into.

Also for determination by the Senate committee is whether the provisions of the Human Resources Policies and Procedures, HRPP, was adhered to in the consummation of the contract appointment, and subsequent statutory elevation to the position of directors.

The subsisting policy and regulation on which the directors were allegedly retired by Nami and his recruitment of new staff to replace the retired directors were the issues at stake.

While the retired directors said that Nami relied on an old civil service rule, which had been suspended to remove them, Nami, on the other hand, said his decision to retire the directors and hire new staff to replace them followed a decision taken by the Board of the agency in March 2020.

But the unlawfully retired directors seem to have a solid argument behind their claim on untimely retirement, and are favoured by extant rules, regulations and policy of the federal government, as well as the FIRS internal regulations on staff recruitment.

“A recent appointment of new directors by the Federal Internal Revenue Service was done in violation of public service rules. The tax agency, under its new chairman, Mohammed Nami, recruited four directors in March, but the positions were not advertised as required by federal rules to allow qualified Nigerians to compete. They also violated an internal regulation of the FIRS that would have seen qualified in-house staff take the posts,” a recent online newspaper publication said.

It was learnt that since the retirement and employment of the four new directors, and reassignment of four others initially retired but re-commissioned as consultants have bred bad blood amongst staff of the tax agency.

“There is so much tension and fear amongst staff now, no one can speak his or her mind freely anymore for fear of being labelled anti Nami. Working in FIRS is akin not to working for a Gestapo organisation where everything is done in secrecy and hush hush. It’s like someone is permanently watching and eavesdropping you,” a staff source, who spoke on the grounds of anonymity, said.
The source added that morale and productivity have nose-dived amongst staff.
“Staff now spend their time sitting behind their desk just brooding over the toxic working environment the agency now provides,” the source added.
Nigerian Pilot contacted the director, Communications and Liaison Department, FIRS, Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, on the matter, requesting for a copy of the FIRS’ Human Resources Policies and Processes.
Ahmed argued that the retirement of the directors and appointment of new ones did not contravene the Civil Service rules.
He added that their appointments followed due process and are in line with the extant laws of the service.
“It is not true that the retirement of the directors contravened the Civil Service rules. The fact of the matter is that Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, is not a part of the Civil Service, even though it is a public service. It thus operates like its sister organisations NNPC, CBN, CAC, etc. The Act establishing it gives it autonomy to hire and fire.
“Moreover, the eight years terminal period is provided for in the FIRS Human Resources Policies and Processes Section 10.1(a). The retirement of the directors is, therefore, in line with the HRPP of the Service which was approved by the Board. It is also in public interest and to create vacancies for the existing staff who have remained stagnated.
“The four appointed directors are not consultants. Yes, they are contract staff, and as contract staff, they were employed on the strength of the provision of the FIRS HRPP Section 2.22, and their appointments were approved by the Board. Their appointments followed due process and are in line with the extant laws of the Service. It is hoped that this explanation will put the matter to rest for good,” Ahmed responded.

Section 2.22 on Contract Appointment states: (i) Contract appointment shall only be made where the required skills and competence are not available within the Service. (ii) the appointment must be justified by the relevant office/department making the request and subject.

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Rights Activist Urges Tinubu, APC to Release El-Rufai

Published

1 hour ago

August 17, 2026

Our Reporter

By Hassan Agboola

A lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza N. Dantani, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to immediately and unconditionally release former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Dantani, in a statement on Sunday, said there was a strong perception that El-Rufai’s continued detention was driven not only by the allegations against him but also by political considerations and fears that he could become an obstacle to the APC’s victory in the 2027 elections.
He urged the Federal Government to desist from using intimidation, persecution or state institutions against political opponents, arguing that such measures could not guarantee electoral victory.
Dantani cited the recent governorship election in Osun State as an example, saying political pressure and rivalry did not prevent Governor Ademola Adeleke from emerging victorious.
“Look at Osun State. Despite the political rivalry, the freezing of state accounts and the enormous political pressure surrounding the election, Governor Ademola Adeleke still emerged victorious. That should tell us something: the people ultimately decide,” he said.
The activist said the number of charges filed against a political opponent, the number of courts involved or the length of detention could not guarantee electoral success.
He urged President Tinubu and the APC to demonstrate confidence in their political strength by allowing opponents to participate freely in the political process.
“If you genuinely believe in your political strength and the support of the Nigerian people, then allow your opponents to participate freely in the political process,” he said.
Dantani called for El-Rufai’s release, urging the former governor to return home and participate in the political process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Let him play his politics, and let the people decide in 2027,” he said.

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Kwara Customs Hailed For A Clean Operational Record

Published

3 days ago

August 14, 2026

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command, has received commendation from the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘B’, Nsikan Patrick Umoh, for maintaining a clean operational record and upholding professionalism in the discharge of its duties.

ACG Umoh gave the commendation during an oversight visit to the Command’s headquarters in Ilorin as part of her tour of operational commands within the zone.

Addressing officers and men of the Command, Umoh was excited that since she assumed office, her headquarters had not received any adverse report against the Kwara Area Command.

She said the record was a reflection of the discipline, integrity and professionalism demonstrated by personnel in their daily operations.

“I want to commend the leadership and personnel of the Kwara Area Command for their exemplary conduct, discipline and dedication to duty,” she said.

The Customs boss, who delivered the goodwill message of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, urged officers to maintain high standards of professionalism both on and off duty.

She warned personnel against involvement in illicit drugs, sharp practices and other activities capable of tarnishing the image of the Service.

Umoh also called on officers to strengthen unity and teamwork, describing the Service as one family working towards a common goal. She assured them of the continued support of the zonal and Service headquarters.

Earlier, the Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, highlighted the major achievements, operational milestones and administrative successes recorded under his leadership.

The visit also featured an interactive session between the Zonal Coordinator and major trade stakeholders, including representatives of freight forwarding associations, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and major excise factories such as ITC and SANICA.

During the engagement, Umoh commended the existing relationship between the Command and the business community, while responding to concerns surrounding cargo clearance procedures, examination timelines and regional trade competitiveness.

The stakeholders also received clarifications on issues affecting their operations, with the Customs official assuring them of the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade.

The oversight visit ended with an inspection of the Command’s administrative offices, warehouse and residential barracks.

Umoh expressed satisfaction with the level of orderliness, environmental cleanliness and discipline observed across the facilities.

The Command said the visit further reinforced its commitment to professionalism, trade facilitation and effective service delivery in Kwara State.

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OUR LAND IS NOT FOR SALE, CATHOLIC PRIESTS TELL FG

Published

4 days ago

August 13, 2026

Our Reporter

By our Correspondent

The Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, has strongly rejected the decision of the Federal Government to include Benue State in the pilot implementation of its National Ranching Policy.

The association said it was particularly concerned that Benue State, which it described as an already bleeding and targeted state, was included in the policy, which is initially kicking off at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Rev. Fr. Joseph Terfa Beba, the NCDPA expressed concern over what it described as the apparent exclusion of the Benue State Government from the decision-making and approval process.
The association said had the elected leadership of Benue State been genuinely consulted, it believed the state government would not have consented to any arrangement capable of undermining the rights, dignity, security and ancestral heritage of its people.
“We cannot accept a policy imposed upon a people whose communities have suffered killings, displacement, destruction and prolonged insecurity,” the association said.
It warned that ranching must not become a disguised instrument for land grabbing, forced occupation or the permanent displacement of indigenous communities.
The priests also cited the position of the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, CMF, saying he had “consistently and courageously spoken against this injustice, culpable silence and every agenda that threatens the ancestral lands of our people.”
The association called on the Federal Government to respect the constitutional rights of the people of Benue State and engage the state government, traditional rulers and community leaders transparently before proceeding with the policy.
It also urged the government to ensure that displaced persons are enabled to return safely and take possession of their ancestral lands before any discussions concerning already existing designated ranching structures in parts of the state and the country.
The NCDPA maintained that Benue was predominantly an agrarian state and not a pastoralist society, arguing that ranching was therefore not viable in the state.
“Ranching in Benue State is therefore NOT VIABLE, and WE REJECT THIS PROJECT IDEA WITH ALL LEGAL AND SPIRITUAL RESOURCES,” the priests declared.
The association said there was no land in Benue for commercial ranching, stressing that ancestral homes should not be treated as bargaining chips.
“Our land is not for sale and has never been on sale. There is no land in Benue State for commercial ranching. Our ancestral homes are not bargaining chips.
“Our people must return home. Benue must not be enslaved through policy. There will be no surrender of our ancestral heritage in whatever form or guise being proposed or presented,” it said.
The association urged the Federal Government to address the concerns of Benue communities and prioritise the safe return of displaced persons before implementing any ranching arrangement in the state.