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EFCC quizzes, detains Musiliu Obanikoro

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Musiliu-Olatunde-Obanikoro

 

A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, was on Monday grilled for several hours by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and where he was confronted with evidence by detectives.

Obanikoro, who had remained in the United States of America since mid-2015, went straight to the Abuja office of the EFCC immediately after his arrival in Nigeria on Monday from the US.

An aide to the former minister told one of our correspondents on the telephone that Obanikoro, who reported to the commission by 1.20pm on Monday, had not been released by 8.59pm.

A company, Sylvan McNamara, allegedly owned by Obanikoro’s sons, was said to have received N4.7bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) in June, 2014.

Sources at the anti-graft agency said after Obanikoro allegedly handed over N1.219bn to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and N1.3bn to Senator Iyiola Omisore, the then Osun State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, he directed that about N759,384,300 should be transferred into the accounts of about six bureau de change operators.

The two bureau de change operators that received the bulk of the funds were A.A.G.B.S. Oil and Gas and North Line Limited.

While A.A.G.B.S. received N168m on June 16, 2014, North Line Limited received N835, 000 on July 14; N83,750,000 on June 17; N1,680,000 on September 3, 2014; about N2,325, 300 on September 9; N5,932, 500 on September 17 and N842,500 on July 30.

An aide to Obanikoro, who accompanied the ex-minister to the EFCC, told the commission that he visited a bureau de change operator on the instruction of Obanikoro and collected over $1m on behalf of the ex-minister and handed it over to him (ex-minister).

Obanikoro could not deny the statement when confronted with the evidence including receipts.

Sources at the EFCC told The PUNCH that Obanikoro informed them that he was ill and was on medication. He pleaded with the commission to let him go home.

He specifically told them that he had recently had a spinal cord surgery and was still recuperating.

Obanikoro was said to have arrived at the commission with a bag containing drugs, toiletries and other items.

“He has been cooperating with us. He has made useful statements but we still need him to shed more light on the main issues.

“He came with a bag load of drugs and told us that he was treating himself. We will keep him here for now,” a source in the EFCC said.

Detectives were said to have assured the ex-minister that the EFCC had a clinic and an ambulance in case of emergency.

Obanikoro was said to have insisted that the money he received was not part of the $15bn arms scam but from the imprest account, a special account belonging to the ONSA.

When contacted on the telephone, Obanikoro’s lawyer, Mr. James Onoja (SAN), told one of our correspondents that his client was cooperating with the EFCC.

Onoja said his priority was to get Obanikoro out on bail.

When asked about Obanikoro’s health, he said, “I am not a medical doctor; so, I cannot give any expert opinion on his health. He is cooperating with the EFCC now and he surrendered himself willingly to them, which shows that he has nothing to hide. Hopefully, we will be able to get him out on bail tomorrow (today).”

In a statement by his media aide, Jonathan Eze, Obanikoro commended the EFCC for its professionalism and pledged that he would continue to cooperate with the commission.

The statement read partly, “Senator Musiliu Obanikoro arrived in Abuja this morning and headed straight to the office of the EFCC.  This is consequent upon an invitation sent to him by the anti-graft body, which was received on June 15, 2016, coincidentally, at a time he was pursuing a postgraduate degree in the United States.”

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Adron Homes Unveils 2024 Lemon Friday Promo: Huge Discounts and Flexible Payment Options Up to 60 Months

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Adron Homes Unveils 2024 Lemon Friday Promo: Huge Discounts and Flexible Payment Options Up to 60 Months

 

Adron Homes and Properties, Nigeria’s leading real estate company, has officially launched its highly anticipated 2024 Lemon Friday Promo, marking the ninth consecutive year of this revolutionary campaign. The promotional offer, which has transformed the lives of countless Nigerians, promises even greater opportunities for aspiring homeowners with a suite of exciting benefits and incentives.

At the official unveiling event held at Adron Homes’ headquarters in Lagos, Mrs. Adenike Ajobo, the Managing Director of the company, expressed her delight in launching this year’s Lemon Friday Promo. She highlighted how the promo has consistently created opportunities for many Nigerians to become proud property owners, offering not only affordable housing options but also an array of valuable gifts such as cows, inverter batteries, air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, and more.

“The Lemon Friday Promo has been life-changing for many of our customers. It reflects Adron Homes’ unwavering commitment to making housing accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of income level. This year, we’re offering an even more flexible payment plan, with options extending up to 36 months. It’s our way of ensuring that everyone, from all walks of life, can become a homeowner,” said Mrs. Ajobo.

Subscribers to the Lemon Friday Promo can enjoy up to 45% discount on various properties with a payment option of up to 60months, in addition to a variety of mouth-watering gifts including bags of rice, inverters batteries, gift vouchers, and even cows. This year’s edition continues to cater to the needs of all Nigerians, ensuring that Adron Homes’ properties remain affordable, accessible, and appealing to a diverse clientele.

With properties spanning Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Nasarawa, Niger, Ekiti, and Plateau States, Adron Homes has been at the forefront of reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit by providing secure, comfortable, and affordable housing solutions. The Lemon Friday Promo is a shining testament to Adron Homes’ dedication to creating a sense of community while promoting homeownership across the country.

“At Adron Homes, we pride ourselves in our ability to create communities that foster togetherness. This year’s Lemon Friday is not just about offering homes, but about building family-centric communities where people can thrive,” Mrs. Ajobo added.

The 2024 Lemon Friday Promo is set to surpass previous editions in scale, benefits, and impact, embodying the core values of Adron Homes: affordability, accessibility, and community building. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Nigerians to own property while enjoying significant savings and exclusive gifts.

Don’t miss out on this life-changing opportunity! Take advantage of the 2024 Lemon Friday Promo and become a proud property owner with Adron Homes today.

For more information on how to subscribe and benefit from this offer, visit Adron Homes’s official website or send a DM on our social media platforms.

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Why We Want To Change FIRS Name – Adedeji

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FIRS allays fears over tax reform, denies new taxes

Why We Want To Change FIRS Name – Adedeji

The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zaccheus Adedeji, on Wednesday, explained the need for the change of the FIRS to the Nigeria Revenue Service.

 

Mr Adedeji, while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, explained that the current name does not reflect the true function of the agency, and limits its power to carry out functions.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu sent four bills on tax reform to the National Assembly for passage.

 

One of the bills, the Nigeria Revenue Service Act repeals the FIRS Act, and also makes a name change.

 

The other bills are the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

 

Mr Adedeji explained that the “federal” and “inland” in the current name limit the powers of the commission.

In case of “federal”, he stated that the agency currently collects money for federal, states and local governments with the VAT collection.

 

He noted that the agency equally collects funds outside the shores of Nigeria from Amazon, Google and others, hence, the agency cannot be called “inland”.

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Oluwatoyin Madein: Appraising the Apostle of Transparency By Ochonu Ochonu

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Oluwatoyin Madein: Appraising the Apostle of Transparency

By Ochonu Ochonu

 

The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) stands as the guardian of Nigeria’s treasury, a position established by Decree 43 of 1988. This esteemed office is reserved for exceptional individuals, handpicked by the President and entrusted with a four-year tenure. Chief Dr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein is one such outstanding leader, whose appointment attests to her remarkable abilities.

 

Born in Iperu in Ikenne Local Government Area on the 7th day of March 1965, the distinguished goal-getter obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy in 1988 from the Ogun State Polytechnic (presently Moshood Abiola Polytechnic) Abeokuta.

In a bid to improve herself educationally, Mrs Oluwatoyin proceeded to Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) Ago Iwoye from where she graduated colourfully with a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) followed immediately by a master’s Degree in Business Administration in 2019.

In recognition of her exceptional intellectual prowess and commitment, the Commonwealth University conferred on her the Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).

Her quest for intellectual development, capacity building and pacesetting, invigorated her into the greater search for knowledge. She realized right in time that she needed proper equipping for the duties and responsibilities that Providence had predestined her for, as such, she proceeded to the highly prestigious Walden University, Minnesota, USA in 2020 from where she bagged a Doctor of Philosophy (P.hD) in Management Finance.

An exquisite and highly determined personality, Dr Oluwatoyin Madien, in a career spanning more than 30 years before her ascendancy to the present position, had served meritoriously in various offices within the civil service.

Her entry point was as a middle-level officer at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).

She also was one of the pioneering staff of both the Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP) and the famous National Poverty Alleviation Programme (NAPEP).

Her distinguished career also took her to the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Works and Housing and the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development all at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Notably, Chief Dr Mrs Oluwatoyin Madien’s achievements did not start with sudden flight, it was a result of deliberate, resilient and determined efforts.

This is so because before joining the federal civil service, Dr. Toyin served the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Abeokuta, as an Executive Officer. The period proved very rewarding as it gave her fresh insight and knowledge of the workings of the second and third tiers of government. An experience that was to later prove extremely rewarding and indisposable.

The highly skilled professional also bagged several eminent recognitions and memberships. For instance, Dr. Toyin is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK, a Member Association of National Accountants of Nigeria and a Member Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Upon assumption of office as the AGF, Chief Dr. Toyin realized that the demands of her new office were not going to be a tea party, as she was confronted with a higher call. While being in charge of the federal government’s accounting services may not look onerous, providing adequate accounting and control of all the Ministries, Extra-ministerial Departments and all arms of government proved challenging.

Her case was however a situation where preparation meets opportunity. She was not only prepared but given her stalling and distinguished intellectual and professional achievements, viewed her appointment as a task from God for humanity and country.

The fact that she is the first woman to attain such lofty office, motivated and made her determined to represent her constituency (the women folk) efficiently and effectively.

Her disposition was therefore that of demonstrated equanimity, compassion, resilience and empathy.

Within a short time, she began to prove her onions, as her devotion, commitment and determination to uphold fiscal transparency in government finance and accountability began to pay off.

In a well-thought-out plan of action, the ardent team player and resourceful advocate of fiscal transparency and responsibility conducted a forensic review of previous financial reforms embarked upon by her predecessors.

The insight gained thereafter enabled her to make hard decisions and also gave her the impetus to make resource-based fresh concepts and tactics for government financial operations and project sustainability as well as benefit delivery.

In a highly meticulous interface with IPPIS Server Providers, she was able to effectively put to rest the nagging challenges mitigating against the payment platform thereby enhancing remarkable improvement not witnessed previously.

Dr. Toyin’s deep insight, knowledge and experience in Fiscal responsibility enhanced the complete review of other financial management policies of government bringing about optimum, measurable and outstanding benefits and functionality.

It can be said that one of her greatest achievements is the demystification of the Federation Accounts and Allocation Committee (FAAC) specifics, especially as it has to do with revenue allocation to the various tiers of government.

While previous AGFs were confronted with subterfuge, Dr Toyin’s impeccable character and strong personality coupled with a firm knowledge of her profession were. Brought to bear on her schedule of duty as she consistently kept Nigerians properly informed about government revenue transactions, and performance relative to revenue inflows at all levels.

Her unwavering conviction that government can only thrive if the citizens are carried along in the management of public funds is not only a landmark, but has led to an enviable demonstration of accountability, transparency, and genuine commitment to serving the interest of not only Nigerians but foreigners, thereby making the populace aware of the inflows and expenditures of government.

This feat has led to immense confidence building and trust in government activities and enabled effective comparison of the revenue collected monthly, juxtaposed with developments on the ground thereby ascertaining compliance and strengthening the overall performance of the government.

Chief Dr. Mrs Oluwatoyin has in several practical ways proved her empathy, forthrightness and clear unambiguous understanding and knowledge of the nexus between government actions and the realities faced by the citizenry and those living in Nigeria.

Her prudent and faithful management of finances has over time proved not unique but innovative, creating synergy, balance and sustainable relationships with all tiers of government and even the international community.

It is necessary to note that this has also significantly reduced the incidences of conflicts and contradictions at FAAC meetings.

Dr. Toyin’s prioritization of prudence, transparency and accountability over even her professional reputation and the maintenance of her statutory obligations has led to the efficient delivery of national interest. It can be said that her major and overarching priority is the welfare of the people of Nigeria.

The detribalized trailblazer, the woman of substance, who has the empathy of a mother, understands the challenges faced by Nigerians as is consistently reflected in her daily activities.

With an efficient and collaborative approach to the fiscal decision-making process, Dr Toyin’s tenure can predictably be adjudged as not only the most distinguished, outstanding and beneficial to Nigerians but also pacesetting, and proactive with demonstrably keen observance of the feelings and interests of average Nigerians.

Her principle of cost-effective alternatives has drastically reduced Nigeria’s financial burden and generated revenue.

When all is said and done one practical area of her greatest achievements will be the stoppage of payments for projects yet to be awarded, this will save in no small measure, the country from huge embarrassment and prevent her from incurring unnecessary interest on funds that are yet to be deployed.

It can be said without contradiction that Chief Dr. Mrs Oluwatoyin Madien through her foresight, a combination of strict adherence To bureaucratic protocols and practices, and a thorough and painstaking assessment of each step taken, to mitigate waste combined with strict adherence to government policies has proved what responsible governance can achieve in a country when you have a round peg in a round hole.

Ochonu wrote this piece from Minna, Niger State.

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