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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Nigeria, others eye $1tr infrastructure investment fund

    NIGERIA and other African countries are targeting Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue from the over $1trillion infrastructure investment coming into the continent

    Executive Secretary of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), Mr. Logan Wort, spoke at the Forum’s technical workshop on VAT in Abuja on Monday.

    According to Logan, over a trillion dollar has been earmarked for investment towards infrastructure development over the next 10 years… the continent is filled with new developments, high rising buildings and construction projects.”

    To tap into the huge investment and squeeze out VAT revenue from it, the ATAF VAT Technical Committee, Logan said, “has noted these developments and commenced work on guidance on VAT issues arising from the construction sector.”

    Logan quoted the 2018 edition of Deloitte’s Africa Construction Trends report which indicated that as of June 2018, Africa had 482 projects, each valued at US$50 million or above. In total these construction projects were valued at $471 billion. This was an increase of 53 per cent of the total value of $307 billion recorded in 2017.

    He added that in 2018, the top three countries in terms of construction projects were Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria. Egypt had the highest recorded number of projects, totaling 46 and accounting for 9.5 per cent of African projects. In terms of value, Egypt also topped Africa, recording projects worth $79.2 billion. This accounted for 17 per cent of the continent’s value of projects.

    He, however, lamented that while construction is tangible, “the rise on intangibles is common across the globe and indeed in Africa, we realise that the “old way” of going to a shop to buy a product may not be the most effective way when the same product is available online, and at times, cheaper.”

    E-commerce he said has changed the distribution of taxable activities. This he pointed out “poses challenges to the jurisdiction to tax income and alters the balance of taxing authority, and results in the erosion of countries’ tax bases.”

    Read Also: Group launches $.5m seed investment fund

    He was worried that e-commerce creates difficulties in the identification and location of taxpayers, the identification and verification of taxable transactions and the ability to establish a link between taxpayers and their taxable transactions, thus creating opportunities for tax avoidance.

    Logan said cross-border digital trade “is fully-fledged electronic trading, and often automated, phenomenon. The execution of these transactions requires no or minimal human intervention.

    “It, therefore, follows that the taxation of cross-border digital transactions should preferably be done electronically and with minimal human intervention. A withholding tax mechanism by financial institutions through the implementation of a real-time (RT)-VAT system, offers this possibility.”

    In his remarks, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Babatunde Fowler said the biggest risk to efficient and effective VAT collection “is double taxation and unintended non-taxation through lack of VAT coordination.’

    He added that the globally agreed VAT guidelines facilitates the interaction between administrations and businesses, and are intended to address some of these concerns.

    Fowler cautioned that while African countries try to find answers to burning questions, “we need to closely look at the taxation of digital goods and services. Increasingly, consumers are looking for products, services and goods online.

    “This forms part of the 4th Industrial Revolution, where our civilisation is moving towards digital platforms as a means of facilitating the day-to-day running of businesses and households. It is imperative to understand how this will affect VAT as a tax and how best to mitigate any challenges.

    The principal deficiency in modern VAT systems Fowler said “is their inability to levy VAT through a simplified collection mechanism that does not burden taxable entities charged with VAT collection. VAT systems operate based on tax policy, administration and the law, hence the need for coordination. VAT systems which have not been adapted to technology therefore do not provide for adequate levying and collection of VAT on cross-border digital trade.”

     

     

  • Omotoso urges public affairs’ officers to promote Sanwo-Olu’s agenda

    LAGOS State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso has urged public affairs officers to promote Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S vision to the state’s stakeholders.

    T.H.E.M.E.S stands for: Traffic management and transportation, health and environment, education and technology, making Lagos a 21-century economy, entertainment and tourism as well as security and governance.

    Omotoso said the ministry has a vital role in making the programmes of government explicit and clear to the populace.

    The commissioner, who spoke during his maiden meeting with the management staff of the ministry in Alausa, emphasised the importance of teamwork in achieving set goals.

    He sought the support of the management and staff in taking the information machinery of the state government to a higher level.

    Expressing confidence in the ability of the civil servants to perform the task ahead, the commissioner said: “From what I have seen and my little interaction with people here, I know that there is nothing that we set out to achieve here, that we cannot achieve if we work as a team.”

    Read Also: Lagos cabinet members fully equipped to deliver, says Omotoso

    He promised to maintain an open-door policy during his tenure of office and encourage the staff to reciprocate the gesture by coming up with suggestions and ideas that would advance the performance of the ministry and boost public acceptance of government’s initiatives.

    The outgoing Permanent Secretary, Mr. Fola Adeyemi, who retires from the Civil Service next month, extolled Omotoso’s virtues, saying the staffers will immensely benefit from his experience as “a multiple award-winning journalist and a professional of repute that can stand tall among his peers in the industry”.

    He expressed confidence that the commissioner will get the required support of the management and staff in meeting the huge expectations of the government to expand the frontiers of information dissemination to Lagos residents and Nigerians in the diaspora.

    Adeyemi affirmed that the ministry has the framework and tools to deploy government information across media channels, noting, however, that an upgrade of the existing machinery is necessary to meet the requirements of the Smart City goals.

    Also speaking at the interactive meeting, the incoming Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Omobolanle Ogunmola, recounted the expectations of government as outlined during the recent retreat Sanwo-Olu held with Exco, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies themed: “Delivering the Lagos of Our Dream”.

  • Anxiety over whereabouts of FHC judge

    THERE was anxiety over the whereabouts of a judge of the Federal High Court, Idrissa Saleh, who is suspected to have gone missing owing to his failure return home since last Saturday.

    Justice Saleh, who was appointed a judge of the Federal High Court in 2015, according to sources at the court, is currently serving in the court’s Sokoto Division.

    The judge was said to have visited Abuja and took ill, following which he was admitted in an unnamed hospital in Abuja.

    The Nation learnt that the judge left his Abuja hospital room after early morning Islamic prayers on Saturday, but has not been seen since then.

    A senior official of the court confided in The Nation that the judge’s family has not made a formal complaint to the court’s management.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill two policemen

    The official confirmed that the court has been informed about the development and that a Deputy Registrar visited the hospital, and was told that the judge actually left his room.

    The source said: “I am aware the family has not officially informed the court about the development.

    “A Deputy Registrar was at the hospital earlier today (Monday) and confirmed that the judge was admitted in the hospital, but actually left is room on Saturday.

    “I cannot confirm the name of the hospital at the moment. I know the court is working with relevant agencies on this. I will get back as soon as there are new developments.”

    Justice Saleh, from Yobe State, as published in the court’s website, was born on June 23, 1965, and had his primary and secondary school education in Yobe.

    He graduated from the University of Maiduguri in 1992 and the Nigerian Law School in 1993. He worked in the Yobe State Ministry of Justice and the Federal Inland Revenue Service before his appointment as a judge of the Federal High Court in 2015.

  • Amaechi, Abe renew face-off over Rivers APC congresses

    THE planned congresses in the local wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State may renew the face-off between Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe.

    Amaechi, a former governor and leader of the party in Southsouth zone, had at a reception in Abuja after his inauguration as minister, hinted that the APC national leadership would soon organise congresses in the Southsouth state.

    But Abe, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in the Amaechi’s administration, described the minister’s information on the congresses as unacceptable.

    He spoke when he hosted members of the APC Visionary Media Team at his Port Harcourt home at the weekend.

    In an online statement yesterday, Amaechi’s media office wondered why Abe was showing early signs of apprehension for the forthcoming congresses of APC in Rivers.

    The media office said: “Rt. Hon. Amaechi announced to his teeming supporters during the reception in Abuja that followed his inauguration as a second-term minister that they (the supporters) should begin to prepare for congresses, as part of rebuilding and repositioning the APC in Rivers State.

    “Rt. Hon. Amaechi expressed surprise that Senator Abe could resort to unguarded language to express his indisposition and fear for congresses, even when he (Amaechi) did not give date and time of congresses to his supporters.

    “The transportation minister did not give his supporters any date and time for the congresses, being the responsibility of the national secretariat of APC.

    “Senator Abe has no reason to be afraid of congresses. He should tell his supporters to also prepare for congresses, since he says he is very popular. A popular politician should be very happy anytime congresses are on the table.”

    The office also said that the transportation minister declined to respond to sundry comments made by Abe, declaring that such remarks were obvious signs of frustration on the former senator’s part.

    Addressing his supporters, Abe noted that Amaechi said there would be congresses in Rivers APC without cognizance to the existing judicial pronouncements on the subject matter and the need for consultation as it affects the interest of other party members.

    The former senator stated that the minister, rather than concentrating on his national assignment, was creating another avenue for tension and crisis in the political structure of the APC.

    According to him, similar actions affected the party in Rivers during the last general election.

    He urged Amaechi to demonstrate his sincerity in rebuilding Rivers APC by consulting other members of the party and showing respect for the rights and feelings of all stakeholders.

    Read Also: ‘INEC was unfair to Rivers State’

    Abe, who described himself as an advocate of internal democracy and justice within the party, pleaded with APC members in Rivers to be resolute and committed to the growth of the party in the state.

    He assured his supporters that even if he was out of office, he remained committed to the development of the APC, insisting that peace, inclusiveness, progress and the commitment of all members to develop the party were needed.

    Abe said: “Look at the state of our party here today in Rivers State, yet the minister for Transportation, on assumption of office, the first thing he did was to announce congresses in Rivers State and I ask myself, this was the same kind of behaviour that led the party to where it is.

    “Everybody in Nigeria knows that the origin of the crisis in Rivers APC was from the congresses and how the congresses were handled.

    “There are extant judicial pronouncements on the last congresses, which the party was misled to ignore and we have all kept quiet, in the hope that by keeping quiet, we will create room for resolution of some of these challenges, so that the party can move forward.”

    Speaking earlier, the Director-General of Rivers APC Visionary Media Team, Robertson Jack, stated that the visit was necessitated by the need to pledge their unalloyed support to Abe’s peaceful disposition in the pursuit of internal democracy, inclusiveness, justice, and equity in Rivers APC.

    Jack said that the group would play its role to ensure that APC succeeds in the next level.

  • Youth, sports award soon, says minister

    MINISTER of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare has said the ministry will push for the establishment of the Nigerian National Youth and Sports Award.

    The award is meant to motivate Nigerian youth and to encourage them to embrace hard work, healthy work ethics, team work and community development.

    Dare spoke at the launch of the 2019 Future Awards Africa in Abuja on Monday.

    He told the gathering: “Only recently the National Council on Youth Development adopted and approved the observance of a National Youth Day for Nigerian Youth to commemorate and celebrate their achievements and contributions to the nation’s development. During the 2019 International Youth Day celebration, I made a commitment to get the necessary Federal Executive Council approvals as well as the legislation to actualise this. “Further to this, we will push for the establishment and institutionalisation of the Nigerian National Youth and Sports Award, which we hope will commence in 2020.

    “The award seeks to recognise and honour youth who have made astounding contributions in the areas of youth and sports development. In this way, we hope to project national icons that will not only inspire their peers but hopefully motivate and breed patriotism among them.”

    The minister noted that awards, as recognition, have the potential to motivate people to excel in what they do. “Rewards and recognition is one of the primary needs of man. It is key to human or personal fulfilment.

    “When a person is recognised and rewarded for his /her accomplishment(s), they feel a sense of fulfilment, which remains with them and continues to inspire them to achieve more.

    “It also impacts on those around them, who are also inspired to strive towards success and excellence.

    “This is hugely important because today, Nigeria like many nations is grappling with issues such as insecurity, corruption, disorientation, etc the root of which is traceable to breakdown or total loss of societal values as well as a lack of a coordinated and structured reward system. The importance of recognition and reward can therefore never be over emphasised.

    “When we, as a nation, institutionalise such noble values, it helps us to raise citizens whose mind-set are focused on making positive contributions, knowing that their labours will not go unnoticed.

    Read Also: How ‘Next Level’ ministers can succeed

    “Indeed there is nothing more stimulating and inspiring for an individual, especially a young person, than recognition and getting rewarded for their contributions. This way, we are able to redirect their thoughts, their mind-sets to embrace hard work and healthy work ethics, team work, community development and selflessness amongst others,” the Minister said.

    Dare noted that plans for  institutionalising the awards bring to the fore the urgent need of mentoring for youth, who he noted must be taken care of for   benefit of the society.

  • Kaduna begins payment of minimum wage in September

    WORKERS on the payroll of the Kaduna State government will have their salaries adjusted beginning from next month, it was learnt on Monday.

    This followed the approval given on Monday by the State Executive Council that the payment of the new minimum wage and consequential adjustments to civil servants should start by September 1.

    With the development, the least paid worker will go home with N30, 500, being increment of 67 per cent.

    Read Also: Kaduna CJ swears in 40 new magistrates

    Middle-ranking officers from Grade 10 to 14 are to enjoy 60 per cent increase on their salaries.

    Monday’s Council meeting, chaired Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe stressed the commitment of Governor Nasir El-Rufai to strengthen the public service and its capacity to deliver quality and responsive public service.

    The council, according to a statement issued Special Adviser to the Governor on Media & Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, deliberated on the minimum wage memo and unanimously approved implementation from September.

  • NLC cautions Fed Govt over delay in new wage

    THE delay in the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage, rising insecurity and Federal Government’s plan to divest its 40 per cent stake in the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), were among the issues discussed on Monday by organised Labour.

    Officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rose from their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting with a call on the government at all levels to immediately implement of the new national minimum wage.

    They said the government can no longer hide under the protracted negotiation with workers on consequential adjustment to delay the implementation.

    In a communique by its President, Ayuba Wabba and outgoing General Secretary Peter Ozo-Eson, the NLC expressed concern that no tier of the government has implemented the national minimum wage since it was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to the congress, the payment of the new wage should commence immediately, effective from the day the New National Minimum Wage was signed by the President.

    On rising insecurity, the Congress resolved to organise a national security summit to discuss and proffer solution.

    The communique reads: “As part of Labour contribution to finding solution to the security challenges in the country, the NLC would convene a national security summit to dispassionately engage the current challenge of insecurity in Nigeria and proffer sustainable solutions.

    “Prior to the proposed Security Summit, the NEC resolved that NLC would hold rallies across Nigeria to sensitise government and citizens on the need to urgently arrest the current drift in security.”

    The NLC noted that the recent confession by a bandit that helicopters dropped weapons for criminals was suggestive of possible collusion between criminal elements and big-time financiers of criminality.

    It also decried the upsurge in insurgent attacks in three local government areas of Gubio, Magumeri and Konduga in Borno State and the villages of Dille, Lassa, Ngurthlavu, Dagu, Yaffa, Maikadiri and Kidlindila in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

    Read Also: NLC begs FG to release Sowore, 26 others

    According to the NLC, the victims of the renewed security breaches have always been workers and defenceless citizens, warning that the trend could impact negatively on the economy if not checked.

    The primary responsibility of government, the NLC said, “is the security of lives and property”. It called on the government at all levels to rein the resurgence in criminality and brigandage.

    “We call for improvement in the quality and quantity of policing deployed for the security of citizens and property and emphasized the need for improved intelligence gathering and the use of technology as being of utmost importance as effective measures in the fight against crime, brigandage and terrorism”, the communique added.

    On electricity, the NLC expressed concern over media reports that the government plans to divest 40 per cent of its shares in DisCos and GenCos, even as it decried persistence power outages.

    Restating its opposition to increase in electricity tariff, the NLC said: “It’s the conviction of the NEC that continuous hike in electricity tariff and persistent power outages present huge financial burden for businesses thus making goods and services produced in Nigeria not to be competitive as goods cum services produced elsewhere.”

     

     

  • Borrowers to forfeit money in accounts for bank loan default

    IT will no longer be business as usual for recalcitrant borrowers that take loans from one bank and run to another bank to avoid repayment.

    The Bankers’ Committee on Monday directed all borrowers to sign an asset seizure agreement with their banks.

    The agreement empowers the lender to seize all deposits of the borrower across the industry, should he failed to repay the loan.

    Breaking the news on Monday at the 346th Bankers’ Committee meeting in Lagos, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor (Financial System Stability), Mrs. Aishah Ahmad, said the committee had come up with a clause that would enable banks include in the offer letter that customers’ assets across the industry would be deployed to loan servicing should they fail to payback.

    She said: “At the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, we were concerned over the level of credit in the industry. We need to give out more loans to revitalise the economy, stimulate demand and serve the SMEs sector.

    “I am not unaware of the reasons why credit has not been growing. Part of that was the appetite of banks to lend, especially where you have customers that have willfully refused to repay their loans.”

    Mrs. Ahmad said the CBN policy, mandating banks to lend 60 per cent of their deposits by September 30, remains in force.

    She said: “At the time we made this pronouncement, the industry loan to Deposit Ratio was around 57 per cent. In our view, if all the banks that are required to meet this threshold do, we will see growth of about N1 trillion. But there are factors that have made it difficult for banks to lend.”

    The CBC official explained the new clause on asset seizure as a ‘credit risk protection’ that will be in all offer letters going forward.

    “Basically”, she said, “it will contain the Bank Verification Number (BVN) details of customers, and the Tax identification Number (TIN) and more. It will be a commitment or covenant by the customer that in taking the loan, he also agrees and promises to repay the loan.

    “And the customer will also agree that in case of default in repaying the loan, the total amount of assets or deposits  across the banking industry will be applied towards  repaying the loan.”

    Read Also: Senate rejects Kaduna’s $350m World Bank loan

    According to the CBN deputy governor, banks had a clause in their loan plan, indicating that all deposits in the bank would be applied in repaying the loan, adding that the new clause is simply extending it across the industry.

    “We think that there are very many honest Nigerians that are willing to take loans, and repay their loans. But those who have refused to pay back their loans are affecting the chances of more people having access to loans. I am very optimistic that the policy will enable the banks lend more, and make all Nigerians have access to loans, especially SMEs,” she said.

    Speaking further, she said that risk aversion on the part of the banks accounted for insufficient credit facilities.

    Mrs. Ahmad said: “And how do you address that risk aversion? It is by ensuring that banks have a framework on which they can rely upon to ensure that when they give money to customers, the money will come back. We know what it took us to bring Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) in the industry down to current status. We know what it took use to bring down NPLs from double digits to single digit of 9.36 per cent. We do not want the pronouncement saying banks should give 60 per cent of their deposits to raise the NPLs level again.”

    CBN Director, Banking Supervision Abdullahi Ahmad spoke of the need for banks to lend more, reiterating that all new loans coming on board, must have a BVN, and the new clause whereby the borrower will have to sign an agreement, in case of a default on that particular loan, the bank will set off any deposit that the obligor has in the industry.

    Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Managing Director Segun Agbaje said the idea behind the new clause is to stimulate the economy through improved lending.

    “Banks are now giving salary advance loans to customers.  It is pure consumer credit. But after some people take loans, they will abandon the account, and start doing business in another bank. The salaries will go to the new bank. What the CBN is saying is that if you do such a thing, they will pool the money in the other bank and use it to service your obligations”, he stated.

  • My son-in-law gave Obasanjo Library N50m, says Atiku

    A SON-IN-LAW of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar gave $140,000  (N50 million) to the Olusegun Obasanjo Library, the ex-VP’s Media Office said on Monday.

    According to a statement, the Atiku Media Office said Mr. Babalele Abdullahi facilitated the donation as part of a plan to support institutions promoting peace in the country.

    It said donations to institutions set up to promote peace in Nigeria and Africa should be commended and not criminalised.

    The ex-VP’s office was responding to a story exclusively published on Monday by The Nation that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) visited the Obasanjo Library on August 8 as part of investigation into the receipt of $140,000 by an official of the Presidential Library.

    The money was suspected to be a source of money laundering and illegal cash used to corrupt some officials to influence the 2019 elections.

    Babalele is being investigated with others for allegedly laundering 150 million euros.

    One of those under probe is an Atiku associate and lawyer, Mr. Uyi Giwa-Osagie.

    About  67, 950,000 of the suspected 150 million euros was traced to Osagie’s and Babalele’s accounts, two slush firms and two Bureau De Change operators.

    Of the 67.9 million euros, Uyi’s account was credited with 26,050,00 million euros between January 9 and 28, 2019.

    Babalele is expected to account for 41,900,000 euros.

    Out of the cash credited to Babalele, he gave about N50million ($140,000) to his childhood friend, Bashir Mohammed to take to an official of  ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

    The EFCC is investigating why the $140,000 was taken to the library, making its detectives to visit the Library in company of Bashir.

    The Atiku Media office said: “Yes, he (Abdullahi) did facilitate a donation of fifty million naira to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, but so did many other individuals, including civic-minded traditional rulers, state Governors, bankers and captains of industry.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Mallam Abdullahi’s donation of fifty million naira was made via a bank transfer, in full compliance with the law.

    “He did not donate or make any payment in cash, as the EFCC is erroneously and salaciously misleading the public. Furthermore, the sources of these funds are completely legitimate and have been conclusively proven to the EFCC.

    “It is instructive to note that even the EFCC has not once claimed these funds to be the proceeds of any illegal activity whatsoever”, Atiku said

    Read Also: Supreme Court rejects Atiku’s, PDP’s appeals

    Presidential libraries in America and other parts of the world are similarly funded by donations from civic-minded individuals”, the statement said, accusing the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari of hatching plots to rope ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo into a crime in a bid to silence him.

    “Yes, he did facilitate a donation of fifty million naira to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, but so did many other individuals, including civic-minded traditional rulers, state Governors, bankers and captains of industry. This is because the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library is a non-governmental organization that plays a pivotal role in promoting peace and stability in Nigeria, and that should be applauded. “Unlike another past leader, who did not improve himself or Nigeria after leaving office, but sat down nursing grudges and plotting revenge, former President Olusegun Obasanjo improved himself and Nigeria by authoring books, founding international think tanks and engaging in peace and capacity building efforts.

    “Donations to institutions set up to promote peace in Nigeria and Africa are to be commended, not criminalized. Presidential libraries in America and other parts of the world are similarly funded by donations from civic-minded individuals.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Mallam Abdullahi’s donation of N50m was made via a bank transfer, in full compliance with the law. He did not donate or make any payment in cash, as the EFCC is erroneously and salaciously misleading the public.”

    The statement said the sources of the donation were legitimate and proven to EFCC.

    It added: “Furthermore, the sources of these funds are completely legitimate and have been conclusively proven to the EFCC. It is instructive to note that even the EFCC has not once claimed these funds to be the proceeds of any illegal activity whatsoever.

    “The truth is that there is desperation on the part of the current administration to rope in former President Olusegun Obasanjo into a crime as a way of silencing his voice, which they see as the preeminent critical voice against the misrule that they have foisted on Nigerians.

    “This is why they asked the Federal Inland Revenue Service to falsely and libelously include his name in a published list of tax evaders, along with the names of other Peoples Democratic Party sympathizers, such as prominent international singer and pride of Nigeria, Davido, who played a prominent role in PDP’s gubernatorial campaign in Osun state, for which he is being punished.

    “We are therefore calling on Nigerians to be watchful for false and misleading stories planted in the media by the EFCC against Atiku Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other persons deemed to be opponents of this government.

    “Let it be known that former President Olusegun Obasanjo established the EFCC to be an investigative body and not a propaganda or enforcement arm of the ruling party, as it is now being misused.

    “May we also add that whenever the EFCC wish to come up with mischief, they fly their kite in The Nation This is now a pattern. It should be clear to Nigerians that the Presidency, APC, the EFCC, The FIRS and The Nation are now working together as five fingers of the same leprous hands.”

  • Ansar-Ud-Deen appoints ex-Lagos AG legal adviser

    Former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (SAN) has been re-appointed the National Legal Adviser of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria.

    The group, in a letter signed by its national secretary, Alhaji Iskeel Ola Yusuf, said his reappointment was based on his long standing commitment and outstanding performance in the society

    The group said this was before he proceeded to take up appointment as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice from October 2015 to May 2019.

    The letter reads: “In view of your long standing commitment and outstanding performance in all strata of the society, particularly as the former National Legal Adviser of the society before you proceeded on your sabbatical leave to serve the state, National President, Aare Dr. Rafiu Ademola Sanni on behalf of the National Executive Committee of the Society has approved your re-appointment as the National Legal Adviser.

    Read Also: Ansar-Ud-Deen fetes, clothes Modupe Cole inmates

    “While we congratulate you, it is hoped that you will continue to bring to bear, your wealth of experience in this role”.

    Kazeem holds a 2nd class upper degree in law from the University of Lagos.

    He also holds a Master’s of Law degree in Information Technology and Telecommunications Law from the university of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

    He started his professional career as a Consultant with the international consulting and accounting firm, Arthur Andersen (now KPMG Professional Services) as a staff of the Tax and Regulatory services division of the firm. After five years with the firm, he voluntarily resigned in 1996 and established the law firm of Adeniji Kazeem & Co.

    Kazeem, who boasts of 27 years of successful law practice, was last year conferred with rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN