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We sealed NDDC office in Rivers over outstanding N26bn tax debt, says FIRS

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The Federal Inland Reve­nue Service (FIRS) says it sealed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, on Thursday over tax debt.

Muhammed Nami, FIRS chairman, said this in an interview with NTA yesterday.

Although, Nami did not state the specific amount, he said NDDC owes an “outstanding tax of N26 billion”.

This is not the first time the tax agency is carrying out the act. In 2018, the Rivers Inland Revenue Service (RIRS) sealed off the NDDC headquarters in the state due to withholding tax estimated at over N600 million.

After a year, the same was done over unpaid withholding tax to the tune of N50 billion.

In April 2021, the FIRS directed all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to remit all outstanding tax liabilities to the service within 60 days.

It said failure to do will lead to the deduction of unremitted taxes from the budgetary allocation of the defaulting MDAs.

Nami said: “Tax debt is a priority all over the world. We’ve sent a signal to ministries, departments and agencies of government that business is not going to be usual in this country.

“You cannot keep government money and force the government, whether at local, state and federal level, to continue to borrow…because these monies (taxes) are used by the government to fund their budgetary requirement.

“We’ve discussed (FIRS and NDDC), even with some cabinet members, and we’ve reached an agreement which will be made known to Nigerians between now (Friday) and Monday.”

Meanwhile, Ibitoye Abosede, NDDC director of corporate affairs, said the development was due to a gap in communication between NDDC and the new management of FIRS.

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Bolt driver assaulted by Abia rep Ikwechegh apologises for provocation

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Stephen Abuwatseya, the Bolt driver who was allegedly assaulted by Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the house of representatives, has apologized to the lawmaker.

The incident occurred on October 27, 2024, in Maitama, Abuja, when Ikwechegh, a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), appeared to have slapped and insulted Abuwatseya after the driver asked him to approach the car to receive his package.

The Abia lawmaker was summoned by the disciplinary committee of the house of representatives.

He was also arraigned at a magistrate court in Kuje, Abuja, where he pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge. He was granted a N500,000 bail. The case was adjourned to November 8, 2024.

But in a now-viral video, the Bolt driver apologised to the lawmaker for provoking him to anger.

Abuwatseya also pleaded with Nigerians not to turn the situation into a tribal war, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and unity.

“My name is Stephen. The bolt driver that had a misunderstanding with right honourable Ikwechegh some days ago. I still actually want to apologise to him that I am sorry for whatever I might have said or done to have provoked him to that level of anger,” he said.

“This is actually a medium that I would like to tell all Nigerians that this is not the time for us to start dividing ourselves based on relationship, religion, tribe, or region or anything.

“We should actually come together and try to see how we can unite this nation and move the nation forward. Please Nigerians let us forgive and forget. There is no justice than forgiveness. Thank you very much.”

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EFCC may arrest me next week — but I have nothing to hide, says Obaseki

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Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, says he has been told that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will come knocking when his tenure elapses next week.

Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be handing over to Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 12.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, during the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session, ThisDay reports Obaseki as saying that he would spend his time in EFCC custody doing some research.

“I hear that the EFCC will pick me next week after my tenure. Wherever they keep me, I’ll spend time doing research,” he said.

Obaseki, who has served as Edo governor since 2016, said he has left a legacy in the state.

“There are many things we have done that can be described as legacy projects,” he added.

“I believe in Edo state. One of the things that will last for a very long time to come is the fact that we were able to focus on Edo people and the things that matter to them, reform and implement those things.”

Obaseki said he is being hounded by a “cruel and wicked” opposition in the state, adding that he would gladly hand himself over to the anti-graft agency when the operatives come calling.

“Why should I have fears? I just focused on what I believe in and today, you can see what has been achieved. What happens after that is not up to me,” the outgoing governor said.

“They can continue with their political witch-hunt and do all they can to hurt me, that’s their problem.

“I’m not afraid, I’m not worried. They have written all sorts of silly petitions against me and that’s part of the challenge. In fact, I can even hand myself over, and if they call me, I don’t have anything to hide.

“You know how this country is, it is all about bitterness, it is all about vendetta, wickedness.

“People who have opposed me in Edo state are cruel, very wicked people, very jealous and envious and this is because they cannot show as much as the achievements we have made in the past eight years.

“But what is important to us is to focus on our people in order to make Nigeria better because the suffering is too much.

“We have the advantage and privilege to make things happen. So, we should focus on issues and not on vendetta.”

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IGP directs police officers to wear black bands in honour of Taoreed Lagbaja

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Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, has directed officers to wear black bands in honour of Taoreed Lagbaja, the late chief of army staff (COAS).

In a statement signed by Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, Egbetokun ordered personnel to wear the bands during the seven-day mourning period.

“This directive is to pay tribute and honour the late General who has shown gallantry, dedication, and passion for fighting violent crimes and insurgency in Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“He was a great leader who deserves to be honoured by all means.”

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of Lagbaja.

Lagbaja died on Tuesday after battling an undisclosed ailment. He was 56-years-old.

He was appointed COAS by Tinubu on June 19, 2023.

Lagbaja enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987.

In September 1992, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th regular course.

He served as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

Lagbaja also participated in various internal security operations, including operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in south-east, and forest sanity in Kaduna and Niger.

The president has appointed Olufemi Oluyede as acting COAS.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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