An Abuja High Court has commenced hearing in a suit challenging the appointment of Executive Directors of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) over alleged violations of due process and existing laws.

The suit, marked CV/462/26, was filed by a civil society organisation, the Incorporated Trustees of Patriotic Youth Organisations of Nigeria, which is seeking the nullification of the appointments and the dissolution of the current management board of the NRS, which it described as unconstitutional.

According to the claimant’s counsel, Peter O. Abang, the appointments failed to comply with constitutional provisions and statutory requirements governing transparency, merit and procedural approval, thereby undermining the integrity of the agency and public confidence in its operations.

Listed as defendants in the suit are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The claimant Is asking the court to determine whether, by virtue of Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), all Acts of the National Assembly are binding on all persons and authorities, including the President, and whether any authority can lawfully choose which provisions of the Constitution or Acts of the National Assembly to obey.

The court is also being urged to determine whether the mandatory provisions of Section 17(1) of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025, were complied with in the appointment of the Executive Directors of the service.

Specifically, the claimant is questioning whether the President is legally empowered to appoint persons as Executive Directors of the NRS without strict adherence to the qualifications and procedures stipulated by law.

In the suit, the group contends that the appointments of the 4th to 9th defendants as Executive Directors of the NRS we’e made in breach of Section 17(1) of the Act, alleging that the appoin’ees do not meet the statutory requirements.

It argues that the appointments amount to a gross violation of both the Constitution and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.

Consequently, the claimant is seeking a declaration that all Acts of the National Assembly are binding on all persons and authorities, including the President, who cannot selectively comply with the law. It is also seeking a declaration that the President lacks the power to appoint Executive Directors of the NRS without full compliance with the mandatory provisions of the Act.

The suit further seeks a declaration that the appointments of the 4th to 9th defendants are illegal, unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever, having been made in violation of Section 17(1) of the Act.

In addition, the claimant is asking the court to set aside, nullify and cancel the appointments of Muhammad A. Lawal, Amina Ado Kurawa, Shettima Tamadi, Obinna Ihedioha, Iniabasi Akpan and Bolaji Akintola as Executive Directors of the NRS.

The group Is also seeking an order directing the President to withdraw the appointments and funding of the affected directors, as well as a mandatory injunction compelling strict compliance with Section 17(1) of the Act in all future appointments.

It further seeks an order restraining the affected directors, either by themselves or through agents, from signing documents, issuing notices, supervising processes, performing official duties or parading themselves as Executive Directors of the Nigeria Revenue Service pending the determination of the suit. (The Guardian)

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