The Federal Character Commission has asked the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to suspend its ongoing training exercise for newly recruited officers while it investigates alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.
The commission’s directive followed complaints that hundreds of candidates whose names appeared on the published final recruitment list were not invited for training, despite completing the required screening, documentation and medical examinations.
Speaking at a briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Abdulwasiu Bawa-Allah, Chairman of the Commission’s Committee on Financial Services, called on the Customs Service to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Bawa-Allah said the service should work with the committee and comply with any investigation lawfully initiated by the commission to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities.
He emphasised that the commission would use its investigative, compliance and enforcement powers under the Constitution to promote transparency and accountability in the recruitment exercise.
According to him, the commission would also take necessary steps to ensure that the recruitment process complied with the principles of federal character.
The reported exclusion of candidates who had completed the required recruitment stages has raised questions about the handling of the final selection and invitation process. However, the allegations are yet to be established through the commission’s investigation.
The Federal Character Commission is constitutionally mandated to promote equitable representation in public institutions and ensure that appointments and other relevant opportunities reflect the federal character principle.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to clarify why candidates whose names appeared on the final list were allegedly left out of the training exercise and whether the recruitment process complied with the applicable rules.
The Customs Service is expected to cooperate with the commission as it examines the complaints. No findings of wrongdoing against the service or any individual have been established in the information provided.
