President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension for the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, whose tenure was due to expire August 31.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja, who disclosed that the extension, approved by President Bola Tinubu will enable Adeniyi to consolidate ongoing reforms and complete critical initiatives of the administration.
These reforms include the modernisation of the NCS, full implementation of the National Single Window Project and the execution of Nigeria’s obligations under the African Continental Free Trade Area protocol.
President Tinubu praised Adeniyi’s leadership, describing him as a dedicated reformer with a proven record.
Also Read: Activist sues Tinubu over Customs chief’s tenure
The president said he was confident that the extension will further strengthen the NCS in achieving its strategic mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security.
NAN reports that Tinubu appointed Adeniyi as the CG of the Nigeria Customs Service in October 2023.
He took over from former CG, Hameed Alli in June 2023, initially serving in acting capacity.
Credible News recalls that last week, a human rights activist and public intellectual, Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the legality of granting Adeniyi tenure extension by President Tinubu.
The suit marked FHC/L/CS/1495/2025, questions the constitutional authority of the President to extend Adeniyi’s tenure beyond May 5, 2025, when his statutory term ended.
The suit brought pursuant to the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, and relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, was filed by a team of human rights lawyers led by Ayodele Ademiluyi Esq., alongside Nike Arogundade Esq., Olumide Sonupe Esq., and others of Newworth LLP.
Joined in the suit are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney General of the Federation, Minister of Finance, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Customs Service Governing Board, the Office of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs and Excise Services and Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of Customs, as the 1st to 7th Respondents respectively.
Akinyemi’s counsel, in the suit which commenced through the way of originating summons, argued that the President’s action undermines constitutional order, institutional integrity, and public interest
The Applicant raised two issues for the Court’s determination: “Whether the President has the constitutional or statutory authority under Section 14(1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023 as amended) to extend the tenure of Mr. Adeniyi after he proceeds on terminal leave.
“Whether Mr. Adeniyi can legally continue to act in the capacity of Comptroller General beyond his exit date without violating the rights and due process expectations of Nigerians, particularly Dr. Akinyemi, who claims this impinges on his right to life, dignity, and democratic governance.”
The Applicant, however, seeks, among others, if the issues formulated for determination were in the affirmative, “judicial declarations that any such extension or continued stay in office is illegal and unconstitutional.”
The Applicant also seeks “restraining orders barring both the President and Mr. Adeniyi from executing or accepting any such tenure extension” and “any further orders the Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the case for the interest of constitutional order and rule of law”.
Crediblenewsng.com
