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FG files tax evasion charges against Binance

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The Federal Government on Monday initiated proceedings against Binance, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange platform over tax evasion.

The charges were filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

In the suit with number: FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, FIRS implicated Binance with four tax evasion accusations adding that it was a decisive move aimed at upholding fiscal responsibility and safeguarding the economic integrity of the country.

Joined with the crypto company as second and third defendants in the suit are Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, both senior executives of Binance currently under the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The charges levied against Binance include non-payment of Value-Added Tax, Company Income Tax, failure to file tax returns, and complicity in aiding customers to evade taxes through its platform.

In the suit, the Federal Government also accused Binance of failure to register with FIRS for tax purposes and contravening existing tax regulations within the country.

One of the counts in the lawsuit pertains to Binance’s alleged failure to collect and remit various categories of taxes to the federation as stipulated by Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act 2007 as amended.

Section 40 of the Act explicitly addresses the non-deduction and non-remittance of taxes, prescribing penalties and potential imprisonment for defaulting entities.

The charges further detail specific instances where Binance purportedly violated tax laws, such as failing to issue invoices for VAT purposes, thus obstructing the determination and payment of taxes by subscribers.

“Any company that transacts business in excess of N25 million annually is deemed by the Finance Act to be present in Nigeria.

“According to this rule, Binance falls into that category. So, it has to pay taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT) and also collect and pay Value Added Tax (VAT).

“But Binance did not do this properly. So, the company broke Nigerian laws and could be investigated and taken to court for this infraction,” Adekanmbi said.

FIRS, by the law setting it up and various others, is empowered to assess, collect and account for revenue accruing to the Federation and administer relevant tax laws.

Binance pleaded guilty to flouting anti-money laundering laws in the United States in late 2023, settling for a plea bargain that cost the company $ 4.3 billion.

Business

Five tips on how to shop for affordable clothes online

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Shopping online is easy, enjoyable, but most times, more expensive than traditional shopping in person. This is probably why you shun tons of online clothing vendors because you cannot be bothered with the expensive prices placed on items online. And that’s a valid point.

In addition to being averagely more expensive, shopping for clothes online can go wrong for a few other reasons, one of which is the disparity between what is displayed by the vendor online, and the item received by clients.

Popularly described as; “What I Ordered vs What I Received”, this situation is not only a time-waster but also, a money-waster.

Without further ado, here are ways to shop for clothes online at a bargain.

  • Use A Site Selling Cheap Clothes

By searching online with the right keywords; like cheap clothes stores, alone, you’ll be sure to get tons of results on stores or social media pages selling cheap clothing items around your location.

Upon getting the results you can then go ahead to choose the vendors which catch your eye and have the items you’re looking out for.

  • Buy In Bulk

Just like physical shopping, shopping in bulk online will reduce the overall cost you’ll be spending. This applies most especially to the logistics around delivery since you’ll most likely be paying the same amount it would have cost for the delivery of one item for all items purchased.

However, take note that you do not buy items that are heavier or occupy too much space as this could cost more. You may also be lucky to get a discounted delivery price or free delivery in some cases. Look out for these from the vendor’s description or ask them in person.

  • Take Advantage Of Holiday Deals

Yes, take advantage of deals making rounds during the holiday season. Usually, vendors offer a certain percentage off the original prices of items during the holidays or special days (their birthday, Val’s Day etc).
Another type of discount to take advantage of are offers such as coupon codes, promo codes etc. These can easily be found on hashtags associated with the store or page.

  • Compare Prices

There’s really no harm in comparing the price range of various vendors on items especially when shopping high. Usually, individual vendors place varying prices on the same item. And by comparing prices and going for the cheapest you can find, you’ll be saving yourself some cool bucks.

  • Sign Up For Updates

To stay up-to-date on the latest sales, discounts, or special offers by cloth vendors, sign up to their preferred notification medium be it, email, or notification bars on social media platforms like Instagram.
By doing this, you get access to early on notifications about whatever deals they might be running and make the most of it.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to bother with clicking on that notification box just yet and be bombarded with every notification they have going on, you can target seasons like the holidays and Black Friday Sales when most vendors usually give discounts. Better still follow them on social media and stay updated on whatever discount sale they have going on.

Although these steps have worked for us in landing the cheapest deals on clothing items online, there is no guarantee that you’ll get cheaper deals yourself.

However, you can try any of these out to your own discretion and tell us what results you get in the comment box. Are there other methods you applied? Do let us know as well.

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Tunji-Ojo directs NIS to provide new passport printers to Nigerian consulates in US

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Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to provide new passport printers to two consulates in the United States.

A statement on Thursday by Babatunde Alao, the minister’s special adviser on media and publicity, said the order was an acknowledgement of previous petitions requesting passport printers in the Atlanta and New York consulates, respectively.

“This short-term solution aims to resolve the current challenge promptly,” the statement quoted the minister as saying.

Tunji-Ojo noted plans are in progress to implement a streamlined process that would enable Nigerians to apply for their passports with more ease.

“Part of this plan includes the activation of the Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, which is scheduled to start in the next few weeks,” the statement added.

“Also opening up more countries for the already-deployed contactless solution.”

The minister said there was already an end-to-end automation of the passport application process and the introduction of the contactless application process which was launched in Canada.

He assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to ensuring that citizens experience renewed hope, laced with innovation and convenience, while still enhancing national security.

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Arik Air shareholders tackle AMCON over N455bn debt claim

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The shareholders of Arik Air, an indigenous airline currently under the control of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, have debunked claims that the debt accruable to the airline’s owner, Johnson Arumem-Ikhide, has risen to N455bn.

The shareholders, through a statement signed by their representative, Godwin Aideloje, described as fallacy the debt record of AMCON against Arik founder.

Earlier, AMCON, through its Head of Corporate Communication, Jude Nwauzor, said the total debt of Arumem-Ikhide was N455.17bn as of December 31, 2024, in all his three investments.

AMCON also said that its intervention in the troubled airline in February 2017 saved the carrier from liquidation, insisting that it would ensure the recovery of the total debts owed to the corporation by various business organisations in Arik Air.

Giving the breakdown of the total debt, Nwauzor alleged that Arik as of December 2024 owed AMCON N227.6bn; Rockson Engineering, N163.5bn, while Ojemai Farms owed the corporation another N14bn, totaling N455bn.

Reacting to this, Arik shareholders refused to comment on the matter saying it was currently before the court.

“This is a matter before the court. Unlike AMCON who have no respect for the courts, we will not resort to subjudical remarks. We will not join the desperate attempt by AMCON to overreach the courts and desecrate our justice system.

“The fictitious claim of N455bn as alleged Arik Air indebtedness to AMCON by Mr Jude Nwauzor is a fallacy. It seems clear that AMCON is invested in dubious storytelling and falsehoods.

This allegation is defeated by AMCON’s claim in its Suit No. FHC/L/CS/175/17 with which it took Arik Air into receivership and gained full control and management of operations, assets, and liabilities of the airline,” they stated in the statement.

The shareholders recalled a Federal High Court judgement of March 31, 2023, ordering AMCON and its Receiver Manager to file a statement of affairs and audited financial reports with the Corporate Affairs Commission to balance and compare the books, Aideloje said AMCON refused to appear before a Financial Reporting Council to defend it positions.

The shareholders said rather than appear before the reporting council, AMCON uploaded the audited account of the business(es) on the Arik Air website, a document the shareholders have also dismissed.

During the press briefing, the Head of Corporate Communication at AMCON said considering the state of Arik Air’s insolvency at the takeover time, the airline would have been sold in its entity if not for the intervention of the Federal Government which directed that the airline should be managed.

But in the shareholders’ reaction, Aideloje stressed that “It is instructive to note the new version of the reason why AMCON took over Arik is a government mandate. What a preposterous statement from a Federal Government employee! This is a gross misrepresentation of the Federal Government as being in the business of arbitrary takeover of private businesses with a stroke of pen. This is indeed a disservice to the government and people of Nigeria by AMCON.

“We wish to state again that before the forceful takeover, Arik Air was recognized for its operational excellence and significant contributions to Nigeria’s aviation sector. Contrary to AMCON’s claims, the airline was meeting its financial obligations, as evidenced by remarks and recognition by global institutions; recently Afreximbank acknowledged legacy Arik as a model in Africa at a just-concluded International Aircraft Leasing and Finance Conference in Ireland Dublin a few days ago.”

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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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