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Kwara government reacts to ICIR’s investigation on irregularities in tax collection

Mustapha USMAN
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Kwara government reacts to ICIR’s investigation on irregularities in tax collection

In reaction to an investigation by The ICIR,  the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) has said they do not use discriminatory policy to assess and collect personal income tax.

The ICIR in a report ‘How Igbo traders bear brunt of Kwara government failed directive, published on July 31, highlighted that many Igbo traders who had earlier paid tax requested of them from the government dating back as 2018, were receiving letters of demands of accumulated arrears, amounting to millions of naira.

The Service, in a statement on  August 2, however, failed to counter key issues raised in the report.

Rather it described the investigation by The ICIR, as an attack against the Kwara governor, Abdulrahman Abdurazaq while implying that The ICIR mentioned in the report that the state governor, Abdulrazaq, directed the service to victimise the Igbo traders.

“Contrary to the unfounded allegation contained in the publication, at no time did the Governor of Kwara State explicitly or impliedly direct the service to victimise or act in a particular way towards anyone on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, or other personal social identity.

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“The service has adopted a non-discriminatory policy on prohibition of associations on assessment and collection of personal income tax in compliance with relevant provisions of the federal law which is the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 (as amended,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, at no point in the report did The ICIR mention such, or attribute the ‘victimisation of Igbo traders’ to directive given by the state governor, showing the author of this press statement may not have read thethe report.

The statement failed to address some of the key points in the report. 

Capital importation pushes FX inflows to $25.4bn in six months — CBN

Harrison EDEH
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Capital importation pushes FX inflows to $25.4bn in six months — CBN

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that the net foreign exchange (FX) flows into the country increased to $25.4billion in the first six months of 2024.

The CBN cited appreciation in capital importation as a key factor that led to positive records on the inflow.

The apex bank said it’s part of an ongoing commitment to support the proper functioning of the foreign exchange market by enhancing liquidity when necessary.

A statement by the apex bank on Thursday, August 8, said the increase marks a 55 per cent increase from the figure recorded year-over-year.

It also noted that this growth has been fuelled by a rise in capital importation, which reached $6bn in June 2024, and record inflows from diaspora remittances through formal channels.

The new development comes against the backdrop of its $876million auction to 26 banks to resolve unmet FX demands.

The statement reads, “In the latest testament to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) ongoing commitment to support the proper functioning of the foreign exchange market by enhancing liquidity when necessary, the apex bank offered $876million to fulfil bids submitted by customers at an auction concluded on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

“In line with its pledge to provide transparent access to foreign exchange for all legitimate customers, the CBN’s leadership has introduced an additional mechanism through the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) to directly facilitate FX sales to end users,” it further said.

The apex bank also disclosed that the approach aims to foster a more transparent market, reducing information asymmetry and supporting price discovery.

According to the apex bank, the commitment  complements the two-way quota system deployed over the past few months to enhance liquidity in the interbank market, through which over $305 million of foreign exchange has been sold to authorised dealers in the last three weeks.

“The foreign exchange market is also showing signs of improvement and increased depth, with more robust and diversified sources of liquidity contributing to the sustained convergence of exchange rates across all segments of the market.

“The official market recorded a turnover of $43 billion in customer transactions by the end of July 2024, with CBN-supplied liquidity representing less than 5 per cent of total market activities, “the apex bank stated.

The ICIR has reported on various initiatives taken by the apex bank to ensure stability and improvement of the foreign exchange market.

Conversely, there is a weak supply side as most manufacturers and importers complain of the volatile exchange rate in accessing dollar for their business.

In June,the ICIR also  reported  new measures opened by CBN for eligible International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) to access naira liquidity to settle diaspora remittances.

This move is expected to increase the dollar supply in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market and solve Nigeria’s currency problems.

Falana challenges IGP to fish out invaders of NLC secretariat

Bankole ABE
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Falana challenges IGP to fish out invaders of NLC secretariat

HUMAN rights lawyer, Femi Falana, a senior advocate, has challenged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to fish out security operatives who invaded the Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress ((NLC) in Abuja on Wednesday, August 7.

The senior lawyer in a statement he signed on behalf of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) on Thursday, August 8, stated that the invasion was designed to silence the leaders of the NLC for having the audacity to criticise the harassment of the #Endbadgovernance protesters by the police and other security agencies.

He described the invasion as a shameful reminder of the armed invasion of the NLC Secretariat on February 28, 1988, following the loss of the post of the president of the congress at the Triennial Delegates Conference of the Congress by the stooge of the former military president, Ibrahim Babangida.

“As if the invasion was not enough, the reactionary forces in power at the material time proceeded to seize the Secretariat and impose a sole administrator to manage the affairs of the Congress for over a year.

“Two years earlier, security operatives had detained NLC leaders, including its president, comrade Ali Chiroma, who died a few months ago,” the lawyer said.

Falana noted that the tactic on that tragic occasion was to forestall a nationwide protest in response to police killings of Ahmadu Bello University students.

According to him, for genuine democrats, it’s regrettable that official actions in a democratic dispensation could be reminiscent of the atrocities that defined the “dark days of military dictatorship.”

“It is incontestable that it is illegal for security forces to invade the homes and offices of law-abiding citizens and corporate bodies under a democratic dispensation. Hence, the State Security Service has denied its involvement in the invasion.”

He added that the denial of involvement by the State Security Service (SSS) in the invasion of the NLC office was not sufficient.

He therefore called on the IG to order an inquiry into the identities of the perpetrators of the invasion and said this should not end as a case of “unknown invaders”.

The ICIR reported that the NLC condemned the invasion of its national headquarters – the Labour House – in Abuja by operatives of the country’s security agencies, including the military.

In a statement by its head of media and public relations, Benson Upah, on Wednesday, August 7, the NLC claimed heavily armed soldiers, police officers and their counterparts from the SSS illegally invaded the Labour House.

The group noted that the security operatives swooped on the 10th Floor, showing no legal document permitting them to invade the premises.

The workers noted that their national executive council (NEC) condemned the high-handed manner that which security agents treated protesters in many parts of the country, resulting in needless bloodshed that ensued and the sweeping mass arrests of those perceived to have led the protest.

The NLC also demanded that all the books and materials carted away by the security operatives should be returned before the end of work on Thursday, August 8, 2024.

The ICIR reported that heads of Nigerian security agencies had vowed to unravel the sponsors of the #EndBadGovernance protest and make them face the wrath of the law.

Insecurity, inflation, and a hike in the cost of living among others under President Bola Tinubu have pushed many Nigerians to stage the nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernance.

The protests, which began on Thursday, August 1, have been marred by violence, largely caused by the security operatives in places like Lagos and Abuja, where protesters have been subjected to tear gas and harassment.

Paris 2024: Nigerian cyclist competes with borrowed bike

Itoro ETUKUDO
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Paris 2024: Nigerian cyclist competes with borrowed bike

A NIGERIAN cyclist, Ese Ukpeseraye, has expressed gratitude to the German cycling team after the team provided a bike for her to use for the scheduled keirin and sprint events.

Ukpeseraye, via her official X page on Thursday, August 8 stated that she got stranded and had no bike to participate in the competition but was saved by the German team.

“Due to the short notice of me competing at the keirin & Sprint, #teamNigeria I had no bicycle to race with on the tracks.

“In the spirit of sportsmanship, the German team @bunddeutscherradfahr came to my rescue by offering me a bicycle. Thank you,” she said.

Ukpeseraye’s cycling team, Canyon-SRAM Generation, also appreciated the German team for the help rendered.

“Special thanks to the German track team for providing @Ese_Ukpeseraye with a track bike after she received a late call up for the Keirin and Sprint events at #Paris2024,” they said.

This follows the previous case where a Nigerian athlete, Favour Ofili, said she was not registered for the 100m women’s sprint.

“It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 metres at this Olympic Games.

“I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter me. I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity. For what?” She lamented.

However, in a turn out of event, Ofili ran in the 200m, and finished in sixth place in the final.

The ICIR reports that the 2024  Olympics is currently ongoing with the finale scheduled for Sunday, August 11 in Paris.

Chevening seeks entries for postgraduate scholarships

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Chevening seeks entries for postgraduate scholarships

Chevening Scholarships is seeking entries for its global scholarship programme funded by the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations for outstanding scholars with leadership potential.

Scholarships are offered for many fields of study, including journalism and media.

The programme provides full or partial funding for full-time courses at the postgraduate level, normally a one-year master’s degree, in any subject and at any UK university.

Journalists can apply for the Chevening Scholarship Programme.

The organiser says, “Successful Chevening candidates come from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds, but they all demonstrate the passion, vision and skills needed to shape a better world.

“There are many benefits to being selected, including fully funded tuition fees, access to some of the best quality education in the world, exclusive networking opportunities, and the chance to explore the UK’s diverse culture”.

Applicants must have an excellent undergraduate academic track record and two to five years of professional experience, in addition to being fluent in English.

The deadline for the submission of application is November 5, 2024. Interested applicants can apply here.

Nigerian-South African Chidimma Adetshina withdraws from Miss SA pageant after xenophobic attack

Bankole ABE
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Nigerian-South African Chidimma Adetshina withdraws from Miss SA pageant after xenophobic attack

A 23-YEAR-OLD Nigerian-South African beauty queen, Chidimma Vannesa Onwe Adetshina has withdrawn from the Miss South Africa ( Miss SA) pageant after a series of xenophobic attacks.

Adetshina has faced backlash after making it to the top 16 at the ongoing pageant.

In a statement on her Instagram page, the beauty queen appreciated all the people who supported her during her Miss South Africa journey.

“After much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and, with the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish my fellow finalists all of the best for the remainder of the competition,” she posted.

Earlier on Wednesday, August 7, the South Africa Department of Home Affairs in a statement signed by spokesperson for Minister Duwayne Esau claimed that Adetshina’s mother illegally obtained South African citizenship.

According to the department, the investigation into Adetshina’s matter was due to a request received from the organisers of Miss SA.

“From the information we have uncovered thus far, the Department of Home Affairs can indicate that: Prima facie reasons exist to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in Home Affairs records as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother,” the department stated.

According to the statement, the department said Adetshina could not have participated in the alleged unlawful action of her mother, as she was an infant at the time the crime was allegedly committed in 2001.

The ministry added that “Innocent South African mother”, whose identity might have been stolen as part of the alleged fraud committed by Adetshina’s mother, suffered as a result because she could not register her child.

Adetshina was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother.

She has been targeted by some South Africans who claim she is not South African by birth.

According to a South African Vlogger, some South Africans are displeased that Adetshina made the top 16 in the pageant, adding that Nigerians in South Africa are known to engage in questionable jobs.

Responding to the trolls, the beauty queen said in various interviews that she is a South African and qualified to compete at the pageant.

“I am a South African citizen and I have met all the requirements to be a part of the  Miss SA competition. The fact that my father is Nigerian does not take away from the fact that I am South African. My mother is South African, and I was born and raised in this country,” she said.

Also clearing the air on the issue, the Miss SA organisation, in a statement confirmed that Adetshina met all the requirements to participate in the pageant.

According to the  Miss SA organisation, to be eligible to contest for the pageant, the contestant must be a South African citizen and possess a valid ID or passport. If the contestant holds dual citizenship, documents relating to both must be made available.

Also, as stated in the amended South African Citizenship Act, citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, or naturalisation.

While most South Africans are against the Miss SA organisation allowing  Adetshina to continue with the competition, in 2001, Vanessa Carreira, born to Portuguese-Angolan parents in South Africa won the  Miss South Africa title.

The ICIR reports that  South Africans have had several xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans over the past years, and the Nigerian government has yet to react to Adetshina’s case as of the time of filing this report.

African Investigative Journalism Conference seeks entries

Blessing OTOIBHI
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African Investigative Journalism Conference seeks entries

The African Investigative Journalism Conference (#AIJC2024), in partnership with SKUP, the Association for Critical and Investigative Press in Norway and Bellingcat, invites applications to its intensive training course on the latest investigative journalism techniques.

The three-day masterclass will be held preceding the annual AIJC conference to be held on October 30, to November 1, 2024, at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Investigative journalists in Africa can apply for a fellowship to attend a masterclass.

The masterclass on digital forensics, verification and OSINT tools, conducted by the Bellingcat team in English, will run from Sunday 27 October to Tuesday 29 October. Masterclass fellows will also be able to attend the AIJC conference and training sessions.

Masterclass attendance fellowships will be granted to experienced investigative journalists and trainers from African countries, based on their track records and recent work.

The deadline for the submission of application is August 30, 2024. Interested applicants can apply here.

Protest: Bauchi governor taunts Tinubu over nationwide address

Bankole ABE
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Protest: Bauchi governor taunts Tinubu over nationwide address

BAUCHI State Governor Bala Mohammed has taunted President Bola Tinubu over his last Sunday’s nationwide address.

Mohammed, also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, said Tinubu failed to address #EndBadGovernance protesters’ demands.

He said the President blew away a chance to win the protesters’ hearts.

The governor said this on Wednesday, August 7, at the PDP flag-raising ceremony for the Bauchi local government poll.

He urged the Federal Government to stop giving excuses to Nigerians.

“I have heard and with regrettable attention some of the ministers of the Federal Government saying that we have been given 70 trucks and 500 and something million, how much did the Federal Government make, and what did they do with it?” he queried.

He added that the policies of Tinubu’s government was not working.

According to him, the government must understand that its policies cause all the problems the citizens face.

“He (Tinubu in his broadcast) did not agree with the situation. He did not address the problems and challenges. The problems are not his alone but for all of us leaders from the presidency to the sub-national, down to the local governments.

“We can see that the manifestations have different colourations. In the North, it is a very big wake-up call for us to bring good governance and respect for people. There is anger and hunger, we have to address our problems of development,” Muhammed stated.

Following the nationwide protest against poverty and hunger, Tinubu on Sunday, August 4 called for calm via a nationwide broadcast, stating that his policies especially the removal of fuel subsidies would not be reversed.

In his address, the President expressed concerns over the loss of lives and destruction of property in states such as Borno, Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna during the protest.

He urged Nigerians to suspend the demonstration and engage in dialogue.

The protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria aims at addressing the lingering hunger crisis experienced since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, according to the organisers.

Immigration officer suspended after bribery video surfaces online

Mustapha USMAN
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Immigration officer suspended after bribery video surfaces online

THE Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended one Okpravero Ufuoma, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI II), who was caught on camera soliciting a bribe from a traveller.

Reacting to the incident, which has generated reactions on social media, in a statement, the NIS’ Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, said the  officer’s unprofessional conduct did not reflect the organisation’s values and ethics.

The statement containing the suspension was issued by the NIS’ public relations officer, Kenneth Udo, on Thursday, August 8, in Abuja.

The video, captioned “This is how Immigration officers treat tourists in Nigeria,” and currently going viral, shows the officer demanding money from a traveler at an undisclosed location. 

“The immigration officer was observed asking the tourist, ‘What do you have for me?’ When the traveler asked, ‘Money?’ the officer replied, ‘Anything.’ 

Even when the traveler said he had no cash, the officer insisted that the tourist bless him with something from his card.

Following widespread condemnation and public pressure, the NIS announced the officer’s suspension pending a full investigation into the matter.

While expressing regrets over the conduct of the officer, Nandap said the Service had a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and that any officer found guilty of such conduct would face severe disciplinary action.

“This disgraceful act is not a representation of our commitment to hospitality, reception, and courtesy.

“As a result, the officer in question has been indefinitely suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary procedures,” she said.

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The Comptroller General reaffirmed the NIS’s dedication to rooting out corrupt elements within the NIS.

She further assured that the NIS would continue to strive for excellence in service delivery, in alignment with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the Federal Government.

The NIS also urged the public to continue to report cases of misconduct by immigration officers to ensure transparency and accountability within the service.

Police fire tear gas at protesters in Kenya

Itoro ETUKUDO
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Police fire tear gas at protesters in Kenya

KENYAN police have fired tear gas at some protesters who took to the streets of Nairobi on a fresh protest against the country’s President, William Ruto.

On Thursday, August 8, police patrolled the streets of Nairobi’s Central Business District with roadblocks set up on major arteries and many shops shut. However, only a few protesters turned out.

The Kenyan police acting chief, Gilbert Masengeli, had on Wednesday, August 7, warned that ‘criminals’ intended to hijack the demonstrations, and advised the people to stay away from protected zones including the main international airport and the president’s official residence.

Kenya has been rocked with a series of protests since June this year. About 60 people have been killed with the police accused of using force and firing live bullets at peaceful protesters.

The protest started after the country’s parliament moved to pass into law a new Finance Bill.

The ICIR reports that following previous deadly protests, Ruto bowed to pressure and declined to sign the controversial Finance Bill.

Kenyans however continued to protest despite the president declining to sign the bill, demanding that the President and other leaders step down from their positions as they no longer believed in the administration.

Ruto responded to the calls after weeks of intense protests and fired his entire cabinet including the attorney general and leaving out the prime cabinet secretary, cabinet secretary for foreign affairs and deputy president.

Some African nations have recently been hit by nationwide protests against economic hardship and bad governance.

In Uganda, some youths took to the streets to protest against corruption in the country, despite the president, Yoweri Museveni’s warning.

The ICIR also reported how many Nigerians across some states including Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Edo, and the FCT, took to the streets for some days, and protested against hunger tagged #EndBadGovernance.

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