A human rights activist, Dr. Bolaji Akinyemi, has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu and other top government officials over the extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The case, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos and marked FHC/L/CS/1495/2025, challenges what the claimant describes as the “illegal” continuation of Adeniyi’s service beyond May 5, 2025—his expected terminal leave date.
Akinyemi, through his legal team at Newworth LLP, is asking the court to declare the extension unlawful and unconstitutional. He also wants the court to bar President Tinubu and Adeniyi from executing or accepting the tenure extension.
The suit lists as respondents: President Tinubu, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Nigeria Customs Service, Customs Governing Board, and the Office of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
Speaking to journalists in Enugu, the plaintiff’s lawyers argued that under Section 14(1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, the President does not have the power to extend the tenure of a Customs Comptroller-General after the statutory retirement date.
They also raised concerns about constitutional breaches, stating that such extensions undermine transparency, accountability, and good governance.
“This is not just about one officer,” said the legal team. “It’s about upholding the Constitution and protecting institutions from executive overreach. Allowing illegal tenure elongations could set a dangerous precedent for public office appointments in Nigeria.”
