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  • Malami urges judges to ensure justice in election cases

    Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami on Monday urged the court to always do justice, particularly in election cases.

    Represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, the AGF urged the Supreme Court to always uphold its resolve to ensure justice and resist the temptation of yielding to the pressures of different political actors.

    Apata is one of 38 who were inaugurated in Abuja on Monday by Chief Justice Ibrahim Muhammad as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN)

    The AGF said: “In the light of the concluded general elections and its aftermath election tribunals’ judgments, over which our courts of first instances and appellate courts, decided on different election issues presented before them, this address serves as a clarion call on the Court of Appeal and to this apex court of the land, to be courageous in delivering landmark decisions in favour of justice, equity and fairness.

    Read Also: SANs to Malami: obey all court orders

    “Also, this court should not be seen to bow to the pressures of different political actors, being the last hope of every litigant irrespective of any irregularity that might have occurred in the course of dispensing justice by different election tribunals.

    “It is important that this court as a final arbiter remains just and resolute in resolving all issues presented before it.”

    The 38 SANs are: wife of Supreme Court Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour; Apata, rights activist Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa; Abdullahi Haruna; Manga Nuruddeen; John Asoluka; Adedokun Makinde; Daniel Enwelum; Emmanuel Oyebanji; Tuduru Ede; Abdul Ajana; Ama Etuwewe; Oladipo Olasope; Leslie Olutayo Nylander; Olusegun Fowowe and Andrew Hutton.

    Others are: Olukayode Enitan; Paul Ogbole; Olaniyi Olopade; Samuel Agweh; Olusegun Jolaawo; Prof. Alphonsus Alubo; Ayo Asala; Abiodun Olatunji; Olumide Aju; Chimezie Ihekweazu; Prof. Mamman Lawan; Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze; Usman Sule; Safiya Badamasi and Echezona Etiaba.

    The rest are Godwin Omoaka; Emeka Ozoani, Alexander Ejesieme; Jephthah Njikonye; Aikhunegbe Malik; Alhassan Umar and Oyetola Muyiwa.

    Speaking for the new SANs, Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour promised that they will all uphold rank’s dignity.

    In what seems a precursor to his eventual resumption of judicial functions, suspended Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court, participated in activities marking the commencement of the court’s new legal year on Monday.

    Fully dressed in the official robe, Justice Ngwuta sat among other Justices at the inauguration of the new SANs, which held in the Supreme Court’s ceremonial courtroom.

    Justice Ngwuta, now one of the most senior Justices of the Supreme Court, has not sat since November 4, 2016, following a directive by the NJC that judicial officers being investigated on corruption related allegations, should cease to perform judicial functions until the conclusion of investigation.

    He was one of the two Justices of the Supreme Court, whose houses were raided, among other judges, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) between 7 and 8, October, 2016.

    His other colleague, Justice John Okoro, resumed duties shortly after the raid; Ngwuta was charged.

    He was first arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on corruption related charges and later, arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), over his alleged failure to declare some of his assets. Both charges were filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    On March 23, 2018, the Federal High Court upheld his challenge of the competence of the charge and discharged him.

    Justice John Tsoho, in a ruling, relied on the Court of Appeal decision in the appeal by Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa (of the Federal High Court) and held that it was wrong to subject Justice Ngwuta’s trial before his court, without first, subjecting him to the disciplinary procedure of the NJC.

    On May 15, 2018, the CCT struck out the charge against Justice Ngwuta.

  • Nigeria loses $1.5b yearly to delayed FIDs on major projects

    The Federal Government is losing over $1.5 billion (about N540 billion) yearly to the delay in taking final investment decisions (FIDs) on major oil projects that can produce 875,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

    Kaptepia Capital Principal/Executive Director Tosan Omatsola, who dropped the hint, listed such projects as Bonga South-West and Aparo; Bonga North and Bosi, among others.

    Omatsola, who had worked in various oil majors, including BP, Texaco, Ivanhoe Capital and Westbridge Energy, spoke at a workshop organised in Lagos by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).

    He stressed the need for the Federal Government to increase its investments in major upstream oil projects as the country is seriously lagging behind its contemporaries in the world.

    In his presentation titled: “Exploration and Production (E&P), Major Capital Projects (MCPs) and global portfolio ranking the E&P industry,” Omatsola noted that a couple of major oil projects have been on the table over the years waiting for FIDs.

    Read Also: Nigeria launches battle to quash $9.6b verdict in UK

    According to him, such projects awaiting FID/Sanction included Bonga South-West and Aparo with 225,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil, Bonga North (100,000bpd),Bosi (140,000bpd),Bosi Satellite Field Development Phase 2 (80,000bpd), Uge (110,000bpd), Zabazaba-Etan (120,000bpd) and Nsiko (100,000bpd). This gives a cumulative of 875,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), which can earn at least $1.5 billion yearly for the government, he added.

    To him, Nigeria has lost a lot of ground in terms of tapping its hydrocarbon resources. He advised that Nigeria should not be eyeing only big  investments and capital but start with little, adding that it is the way other countries such China started. “Let’s start with little things. Currently, we are only scratching the surface of the Niger Delta province, let alone exploring other six sedimentary basins.

    “Like other oil producing countries, we need high temperature high pressure (HTHP) technology to go deeper in a maturing basin such as the Niger Delta,’ he said.

    Quoting McKinsey, Omatsola said: “The challenge of large oil and gas projects is that, as activity ramps up and more oil and gas production moves to frontier and unconventional resource areas, projects are becoming larger and more complex.

    “Such projects involve many stakeholders, including shareholders, local authorities and regulators, and environmental and community advocates. Therefore, Nigeria has optimally tap its low hanging fruits such as the Niger Delta basin.”

    A former top executive in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, said Bonga South-West and Zabazaba-Etan were estimated to cost more than $10 billion each.

    “When you have inflows of this magnitude into an industry of a country, of course, that is a big investment,” he said.

    Bosi and Uge fields are operated by ExxonMobil, while Chevron operates Nsiko; Shell and Agip operate Bonga and Zabazaba respectively.

  • Navy commander just transfered before murder

    The Commandant of the Armed Forces Command Secondary School and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Navy Commander Oluwayemisi Ogundana, had been redeployed before she was murdered, it was learnt on Monday.

    A source said the deceased officer, who had been posted to the Nigerian Navy School of Engineering (NNSE), Sapele, was waiting for the officer to take over from her before she was gruesomely killed in her residence. Her dismembered body, put in a sack, was found in a shallow well.

    A teacher in the school, Bernard Simon, is being held as a suspect. Also in custody as an accomplice is Ibrahim Mamman.

    The military police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Commander Ogundana’s murder.

    The Nation gathered that Cdr. Ogundana had started packing her luggage for the trip to her new station. But her travel bag was used to pack her mutilated body.

    A source close to the deceased said  her assistant was the first to notice that something was wrong because Cdr. Ogundana requested her to buy some snacks on her way home.

    Read Also: Tight security as military interrogates suspected killers of Cdr. Ogundana

    After buying the snack in town, the aide went to her residence but found her door shut.

    It was gathered that the aide called her mobile telephone line many times without response, an unusual development that triggered the suspicion.

    She was said to have contacted the woman’s sister who told her she might have gone for a meeting, if she was not in her apartment.

    The source said: “She went home and returned the next day, yet she did not see her madam. But she observed a strange thing; the net leading to her apartment was torn.

    “At the same time, her husband was said to have been worried because he had not been able to reach her, which was strange. They told him they were having the same challenge and he advised that they should make a report since it had been days already.”

    It was gathered that the suspected killer had earlier gone to apologise to her for past offences, without knowing it was part of the plan to make her lower her guard.

    The source added: “The woman was reserved. She was a meek and quiet person. She was left-handed and stammered a bit too. The claim by the teacher that she promised him N2.5million was pure nonsense because it is impossible. Where would she have got the money in the first place?

    “The truth is that Mr. Bernard was the Secretary of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and he went about complaining that the Comamndant was blocking them from making money.

    “Commander Ogundana heard it and confronted him. She asked him what he meant by saying she was blocking them from making money.

    “She said it was obvious she will not be able to work with him and told the chairman of the PTA that they should remove him. The Commander was a very straight forward woman.

    “There was a meeting with the PTA and when she came in, she saw that Mr. Simon was acting as secretary. She said she was not going to take part in the meeting unless he stepped aside. She stood outside until the chairman told the secretary to leave the books for his deputy.

    “Days after, she told her PA that the teacher came to her house; that someone knocked her door, and when she looked through the window, she saw it was the teacher. She asked what he was doing at her house and he said he came to apologise for all the wrongs he had done.

    “She told him it was wrong to come to her house, and that if he wanted to apologise, he could do that in the office. The Commandant did not allow people into her house. The only people with access to her house were her aide and her sister who lives in Jaji.

    “Her PA also said the teacher came to her office and apologised. She was already packing her things to leave the school because she had been posted out.

    “It was one of the  bags she bought that her killers used to pack her body. They killed her inside her room and mutilated her body, took it out and dumped it inside a well. It is so disheartening what they did to her because that woman did not deserve to die that way.”

    Sources added that “about two months ago, a Major who was on Senior Course at the AFCSC was also found dead in his room. The Major was suspected to have been murdered the day he was supposed to proceed on a foriegn study tour.

    “That is why they are interrogating them thoroughly to get to the root of the matter. Bernard, who was a staff member of the college where Commander Ogundana was the Commandant, has confessed to killing her.”

  • Kaduna Governor enrols son in public primary school

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has enrolled his six-year-old son, Abubakar Al-Siddique, in primary one at Capital School, Malali, a public school.

    This is in fulfilment of the promise he made in 2017.

    The governor was on Monday accompanied by his wife, Aisha Ummi, to the school where their son began his primary education.

    In 2017, Governor El-Rufai, speaking as a guest of Freedom Radio’s Hausa phone-in programme, “Barka da War haka”, said he would revamp public schools and promised to enrol his child in a public school when he turns six.

    The governor said: “The move is part of reforms to revamp public schools and make them more competitive.

    “We are determined to fix public education and raise its standard so that private education will become only a luxury.

    Read Also: PHOTOS: El-Rufai enrols son in public primary school

    “As we make progress, we will require our senior officials to enrol their children in public schools.

    “I will by personal example ensure that my son, who will turn six in 2019, will be enrolled in a public school in Kaduna State, by God’s grace.”

    Briefing reporters after he enrolled his child, El-Rufa’i said it was a commitment that had been fulfilled.

    “I made that commitment because I believe that it is only when political leaders have their children in public schools that we will pay attention to the quality of public education.

    “I went to a public school like this. In fact, the school I attended is not as good as this one, but here I am, because of the quality teaching I got.

    “My intention is to ensure that our public schools offer quality education. So we are encouraging our senior public servants to send their children to public schools.

    “Once public schools are improved and are nearly as good or even better than private schools, no one will waste his money taking his child to a private school,” he said.

    Ummi, the child’s mother, said: “I am glad that we are able to send a strong message to our leaders and the elite that we need to start making things work from our homes.

    “By the time we start attending public hospitals and sending our children to public schools, the system will get better. This is a very huge step.”

  • CCII executive lauded for peace, development in Ibadan

    The Chairman of Afikarahun Forimu of Ibadan, Chief Lateef Gbolagade Ojo, has hailed the executive of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) for championing the development of the ancient city and restoring peace between Olubadan and warrant kings installed by the immediate past government in the state.

    He urged the Yemi Soladoye-led CCII executive not to relent in stoking the fire of progress and growth of the metropolis, even after leaving office.

    The chairman said no effort should be spared to give the ancient city a modern look it deserves.

    Ojo spoke in Ibadan while highlighting the achievements of the current leadership of the CCII.

    Read Also: Surveyors hold 50th anniversary in Ibadan

    The chairman said rebuilding Ibadan House and providing basic facilities that lift its standard and comfort could not be ignored.

    The Solodoye led–executive laid the foundation of a new palace for Ibadan, which would have a modern shopping mall for businesses and a police post that would provide security for visitors.

    Ojo said all these were proofs of the resolve of the CCII to give the best to the new palace.

    The chairman praised Soladoye and members of his executive for taking Ibadan to greater heights.

    Describing the CCII executive as trail blazer, he expressed confidence that its achievements would inspire the incoming executive.

  • Sanwo-Olu to accelerate administration of justice

    Lagos State Governor  Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised to implement reforms that will accelerate the administration of justice in the state.

    The governor said this is because the judicial arm of government plays critical roles in ensuring law and order through the protection of rights of the citizenry, irrespective of status and background.

    Sanwo-Olu spoke through the Deputy Governor  Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, at  a special service held at the Central Mosque, Lagos Island, by the state’s Judiciary to mark the 2019/2020 Legal Year.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu approves more courts for Lagos

    He said his administration was committed to proffering solutions to  challenges  slowing down  efficient  justice  delivery in the state.

    The governor identified one of the obstacles to justice delivery as  inadequate courtrooms, adding that the current administration had approved the completion of the combined High and Magistrates’  Courts complex in Ajah.

    The Chief Judge, ustice Kazeem Alogba, expressed gratitude to the executive arm of government  for its support and cooperation.

    The CJ reiterated that the Judiciary under his watch would continue to dispense justice without bias or favour.

    He added that his aim was to create an independent judiciary by ensuring fair and responsive system of justice, with focus on excellence.

  • Plot to impeach Bayelsa Speaker thickens

    The plot to impeach Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Tonye Isenah, has thickened following his refusal to step down as directed by Governor Seriake Dickson and leaders Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders.

    It was gathered that lawmakers loyal to the governor and the PDP had been mobilised to carry out an impeachment proceeding against Isenah, who had insisted that his resignation would not add any value to the PDP’s quest to win the November 16 election.

    It was also learnt that external forces, powered by the opposition, were planning to protect Isenah to enable him retain his office.

    Some of the lawmakers were also said to be against the move to remove the speaker, whom they described as a good fellow, and had vowed to stand against any motion to actualise the plot.

    Isenah was said to have tried to convene a sitting of the House yesterday to discuss issues and adjourn the House till further notice. But PDP leaders, who got wind of the development, reportedly prevailed on their loyal lawmakers not to attend the sitting, which failed to hold for lack of capacity to form a quorum.

    Read Also: I won’t resign, daring Bayelsa Speaker tells Dickson, others

    The speaker came under intense pressure to relinquish his office in the House of Assembly to enable his party balance political equations ahead of the November 16 election. He was said to have reached an agreement with Dickson and other PDP leaders to vacate his office in the event that Senator Douye Diri, who hails from his Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, becomes the party’s governorship candidate.

    After Diri won the primaries, PDP leaders were said to have asked Isenah to surrender his position to another lawmaker from Southern Ijaw to enable the party garner votes from the council. But Isenah insisted he would not let go of his position before the poll.

    The speaker, in a statement by his media aide,  Aotendeike Boloigha, said he had served the PDP faithfully and was yet to see how his resignation would help the party in the poll.

    But PDP leaders against Isenah were reportedly determined to force him out of the office to make way for a lawmaker from Southern Ijaw to brighten the party’s chances at the poll.

    But a source said Isenah’s travails were based on his refusal to initiate an impeachment proceeding against the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd).

    “It is not just about an agreement to step down; it is about the deputy governor. The powers that be accused the deputy governor of planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an incumbent deputy governor. They don’t want that to happen.

    “There are insinuations that Jonah wants to join the APC and contest the Bayelsa East senatorial election, which will be vacant if the APC wins the governorship election because the incumbent senator is the running mate to the APC candidate, David Lyon. So, the party leaders want Jonah out of the way but Isenah is refusing to be used to carry out the process,” he said.

    Isenah’s aide on New Media, Dickson Opuene, in his social media posts, also hinted that the speaker was undergoing the travails for refusing PDP leaders’ request to impeach the deputy governor.

  • Customs officers urged on dedication to duty

    The Comptroller of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Customs Command, Mrs. Morenike Oladunni, has described her team as a ‘’model of Customs dream for improved modernisation, pursuing facilitation of legitimate trade and keeping to government’s Ease of Doing Business policy’’.

    Mrs. Oladunni stated this at the close of work get-together in honour of a retired Assistant Comptroller, Mrs Juliet Akabogu, in the Command.

    “A combination of punctuality, commitment to duty and non-compromise on rules has made this command the fastest in clearing in Nigeria.

    ‘’After the lodgement of Single Goods Declaration (SGD) forms, no consignment with genuine declaration suffers delay as they get exited from the port within 48 hours,” she said, adding that her team must continue to ensure that no one breaks the chain of optimum productivity in Customs operations.

    Read Also: Kano/Jigawa customs impounds donkey skin, contraband worth N150.4m

    She charged officers and men to  keep to the rules and directives of the Service’s Controller-General.

    Mrs Oladunni described Mrs Akabogu as a loyal and diligent officer of the service.

    She wished her success in her future endeavours.

    Meanwhile, the command collected N9,497,704,598, which represents over 93 per cent of total revenue target for 2019.

    NCS said the figure for this year also surpassed the N6,302,228,485 made by the command within same period of last year.

  • Edo 2020: Will Ogie contest against Obaseki?

    The governorship election will hold in Edo State next year. Correspondent OTABOR OSAGIE examines the activities of a group within the ruling All Progressives CongrAess (APC), the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), which has unfolded plans to sponsor a candidate for the poll.

    Ahead of next year’s governorship poll in Edo State, anxiety has gripped many members of the  All Progressives Congress (APC). There is tension in the chapter because of the House of Assembly crisis. Although nobody has declared intention to contest for the party’s ticket against Governor Godwin Obaseki, it is certaibn that he has rivals. Obaseki’s body language and infrastructural projects are signals that he will run for a second term.

    The Edo Peoples Movement, a pressure group and opposition movement within the Edo APC, is yet to state its stand on who it will back at the primary. The EPM said its two major objectives are the re-positioning the Edo APC and getting a replacement for Obaseki.

    The APC aspirants are Chris Ogiemwonyi, General Charles Airhiavbere, Solomon Arase, Solomon Edebiri and Captain Hosa Okunbor. Ogiemwonyi, Edebiri and Airhiavbere. They are supporters of EPM.

    As part of plans to achieve its aim, it was gathered that the EPM was plotting to discredit Obaseki’s powerful loyalists and create APC factions in local government areas. It had began mobilisation by inaugurating leaders in Auchi, Estako West local government area while other meetings were held in Ovia North East local government.

    In Ikpoba-Okha local government, the EPM targeted Secretary to the Government, Osarodion Ogie by attempting to dislodge him and asking Obaseki not to regard as the leader of the local government. One of their argument was that Ogie is interested in contesting the 2020 governorship ticket against Obaseki.

    Ogie is taciturn. But, he is a great mobiliser and master strategist. His Bénin City residence is open to all, whether he is at home or not. His gates are not locked and there are seats available for visitors. As his house is open to all so his is office that is visited by different persons on a daily basis and they are all attended to.

    Ogie served as Chief of Staff to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and later, Commissioner for Works. As a Chief of Staff, he used his office to woo many admirers to the state government. He is patient and ready to listen to anybody irrespective of status. Ogie was a trusted confidant of Oshiomhole. When he was made Commissioner for Works in Oshiomhole’s second term, he was among the team that drafted the Edo dream template, even before the court delivered judgment in favour of Oshiomhole in 2008.

    It was perhaps, his strong willed nature and ability to deliver as directed that made Oshiomhole to entrust him to oversee certain activities, especially during elections and after the polls election activities. Ikpoba-Okha local government where Ogie hails from is the most secure local government for the APC in Edo State because of his leadership style and ability to groom young politicians.

    In 2016, Ogie was tipped as a replacement for Oshiomhole, but when Obaseki was favoured, he accepted to become the Director-General of the campaign organisation. Following the victory, Ogie was named the SSG, but some APC members said Oshiomhole made him SSG to keep a close watch on Obaseki. Apart from Ogie, the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, and Chief of Staff to Obaseki, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, were close allies of Oshiomhole. Ogie, it was gathered, gained the confidence of Obaseki by keying into his vision and mobilising supporters for him.

    A day after the EPM’s failed attempt to create APC factions in Ikpoba-Okha local government, Obaseki paid an unscheduled visit to the residence of Ogie where he affirmed his trust in him. He said he remained the recognised leader of Ikpoba-Okha local government area.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s former Aide petition Buhari over Edo crisis

    Obaseki said plans by some few persons to cause disunity in the Edo APC would fail as only God makes leaders and not men.

    He said his administration was working with the APC structure and delivering result to Edo people to make it the strongest in the country. He reiterated that thuggery would not be allowed in the party and in the whole of Edo State, adding that anyone who wants to be involved in anti-party activities would be thrown out of the party.

    Obaseki said his administration would not be distracted by the antics of few members, adding that he would continue to deliver good governance.

    “I am bringing jobs for the youths, especially in Ologbo-axis of Ikpoba Okha. Youths should organise themselves into units and I will empower you with different skills and trainings to do the jobs we are creating. For the ongoing renovation of basic schools, youths will be in charge of the fencing work while women will be in charge of furniture,” he said.

    Obaseki expressed appreciation to the people of Ikpoba Okha LGA for believing in the leadership of the SSG and for fully supporting his administration.

    Ogie, who was elated by the presence of the governor and the youths at his residence, said he will continue to attract development to the area.

    “Until I came into politics, Ikpoba Okha had no commissioner. I promised you that my coming into politics will change things for the better.

    “I am not perturbed by detractors who go about denting people’s image. The Obaseki-led administration would continue to deliver good governance to citizens of Edo State.”

    Sources closed to Ogie said he is not interested in contesting next year’s governorship election as being speculated by members of EPM.

    The source added: “Let me tell you. Ogie is not interested in the governorship race. You cannot expect him to be joining pigs in the mud. He has told us that he is supporting Obaseki to succeed and that is our focus. Remember Ogie helped Oshiomhole and now he is for Obaseki.”

  • Timi Frank lied on alleged N90b cash gift to APC, says FIRS

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Monday debunked an online report that it supported the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with N90 billion through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    The publication in some online and daily newspapers was credited to APC’s former Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank.

    In a statement by FIRS’s Director of Communication & Servicom, Wahab Gbadamosi, said among others things:

    • That the entire allegation being spread by one Timi  Frank that the  Federal lnland Revenue Service spent N90 billion to fund the last election is mendacious, wicked, malicious and a calculated attempt to smear the image of the Service and that of his Excellency, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
    • This campaign of calumny and villifying false claims are entirely, libellous, unfounded in fact, irresponsible and a brazen assault on the integrity of the Service as a responsible and accountable organisation and clearly demonstrates an abysmal ignorance of the budgetary and expenditure process of the FIRS.

    Read Also: Clampdown on ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ politicians, Frank tells EFCC

    • That in the last four years since Mr. Tunde Fowler has supervised operations at the FIRS, the agency had not received up to N90 billion, per annum, as Cost of Collection from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). Mr. Frank and his band of liars might wish to cross-check this from FAAC, a public institution, whose records are open to the public.
    • That it is from the remittances from FAAC — which had never grossed up to N100 billion, per annum, that FIRS pays the salary and emoluments and trains it’s over 8000 staff, runs over 150 offices and provides for other needs of the Service.
    • That given the above, it is not plausible nor does it make any sense that FIRS will commit its resources to a phantom campaign of N90 billion as suggested by Mr. Timi Frank and FIRS does not fund political associations.”

    Urging members of the public to disregard the report as a tissue of lie, Gbadamosi said: “The FIRS is a public trust, which the agency operates on behalf of Nigerians. Taxpayers money – including the operational funds of the Service – are sacred and we exercise, extra care and diligence in expenditures, even after such funds must have been appropriated by the National Assembly.”