Business
How Ex-FIRS Boss, Nami Approved ₦11bn ‘Suspicious’ Payments After His Exit
How Ex-FIRS Boss, Nami Approved ₦11bn ‘Suspicious’ Payments After His Exit
After his sudden exit as chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami went on to approve N6 billion as payments to several contractors and consultants, TheCable can report.
Nami, who was succeeded by Zacchaeus Adedeji, greenlit the payments two days after he was removed on September 14, according to documents seen by TheCable.
Officials privy to the development — but not authorized to speak on the matter — said the former FIRS boss directed the staff of the finance, audit, and internal affairs departments to work on Saturday and Sunday to perfect some financial transactions while files were allegedly moved from the agency’s headquarters to his house, where they were said to have been “backdated and signed”
Sources familiar with the matter told TheCable that Nami also moved about N5 billion to the account of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) from the FIRS account.
According to an official, the FIRS director of finance & accounts, was compelled to approve the payments despite allegedly warning Nami about the potential ripple effects.
Nami was said to have assured the FIRS director that there was no cause for alarm, reportedly saying the incoming chairman of the agency would not find out about the approvals.
An insider said Jibrin Jibrin, Nami’s cousin who is an assistant manager at the FIRS, assured some members of staff that the payments would raise no eyebrows, alleging that his uncle had “done the needful” when the acting executive chairman of the FIRS was the special assistant on revenue to the president.
TheCable understands that Nami travelled out of the country following the approval of the payments on September 16.
BREAKDOWN OF THE PAYMENTS
According to documents seen by TheCable, the former FIRS chairman approved N5,628,496,823.04, $863,293.00 and £8,780 for express payment to 196 beneficiaries — all in one day.
Nami approved the payment of N1,409,950,625.00 to 807 nominees for a ‘Business Case for Strategic Leadership’ retreat which is billed to take place in November 2023 while N250,325,000 was greenlit for FIRS Data Mining Management and Analytics in Taxation Course.
The ex-FIRS chairman also approved N221,311,840.00 to be paid to Odey Jacob & 611 others for “Skill Development and Management Improvement Workshop Training”; N42,398,000.00 was earmarked as payment to Mawo Dav Printing Nig. Ltd for the “production of letterhead papers & call cards” while another N36,513,718.75 was approved for Gebos Nig. Ltd — also for the production of letterhead papers and call cards.
Nami appropriated N81,488,127.00 to himself — and nine others — as estacode for a study visit to the Inland Revenue of Malaysia while N54,979,390 was approved to CDP Partnership Ltd as payment for engagement as a consultant for “stage I &II quantity surveying services”.
In total, over N591 million was approved as estacode payment for official trips made by staff to Rwanda, Kenya, and Morocco, among other countries.
The former FIRS boss approved over one billion as payment for the training of staff on tax disputes, capital market operations, and tax evasion strategies, among other modules.
As an engagement fee for consultancy work in respect of “education and enlightenment of civil society organisations”, Nami approved over N173 million to Juzor & Company Ltd. while Jiop Azzy Ltd was listed to receive over N132 million for the same purpose.
Nami also reportedly signed off on the payment of over N100 million to Skymart Capital Trading Ltd, Toplead Consulting Limited, and Alim, and Associates Limited for consultancy, monitoring, and evaluation services.
FIRS MUM OVER THE PAYMENTS
In a telephone conversation, Abdullahi Ismaila, FIRS spokesperson, told TheCable that he has no knowledge of the payments.
Ismaila however failed to provide further comment, citing a lack of authorisation to speak on the matter.
In another conversation, Tobi Johannes, Nami’s erstwhile media aide, said he ceased to be the mouthpiece of the former FIRS boss “since the day his tenure ended”.
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13-Year-Old Boy Builds House for Parents with Earnings from Local Mines – A Tale of Grit and Determination!
In an astonishing feat of resilience and hard work, a 13-year-old boy from Akun Ejiba, Agidi Development Area, in Nasarawa Eggon LGA of Nasarawa State, has built a house for his parents using earnings from his labor in local mines.
The young boy, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, reportedly spent countless grueling hours working in the hazardous local mining fields, saving every possible naira to achieve this remarkable goal. His unwavering determination and deep sense of family loyalty have left the entire community in awe.
A Child’s Sacrifice, A Parent’s Pride
Sources within the community confirm that the boy took on the backbreaking labor at an age when most children are in school or at play. Yet, instead of spending his earnings on personal desires, he selflessly dedicated them to constructing a home for his struggling parents—a feat many adults struggle to achieve in a lifetime.
His hard work, resilience, and selflessness have not gone unnoticed. Members of the community have hailed him as a symbol of dedication and sacrifice, calling for support to ensure he gets an education and a better future.
Mixed Reactions: Inspiration or a Reflection of Society’s Harsh Reality?
While the story has been celebrated as inspirational, it also raises concerns about child labor and the harsh economic realities forcing young children into dangerous jobs. Some argue that no child should have to endure such hardship to provide for their family.
Many are now urging the government, NGOs, and well-meaning individuals to intervene, ensuring that this young hero is given the opportunity to pursue his education and live the childhood he deserves.
What’s Next for the Young Builder?
As his story spreads, there are calls for support and scholarships to lift him from the mines and into the classroom. Will the government step in? Will generous benefactors come to his aid?
For now, this 13-year-old has etched his name in history as a child whose love for family defied the odds, proving that even the smallest hands can build the biggest dreams.
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