News & Announcements

The payment of the 7.5% Value Added Tax on Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, was officially announced by the Federal Government on Monday.

In Abuja, representatives of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian Customs Service reaffirmed that AGO was not exempt from paying VAT in accordance with the VAT Modification Order 2021.

Nigerians, however, criticized the news, pointing out that people were still attempting to acclimatize to the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, more commonly known as gasoline, without being aware that preparations had been made to further increase prices for diesel.

Our correspondent inquired as to whether the NCS was currently collecting 7.5% VAT on AGO imports, and Abdullahi Maiwada, the service’s spokesperson, responded, “Yes.”

He continued, “If you ask me whether Customs collect 7.5 per cent VAT on AGO, I will tell you yes and I’ll give you the reasons. There’s what we call VAT Modification Order 2021, which exempts petroleum products of Harmonised System Codes.

“But the HS Codes for Petroleum products that are exempted from paying VAT are those in the region of 2709.00.00.00 – 2710.19.12.00. The HS Codes are what we use to classify commodities. But AGO is classified under HS Code 2710.19.21.00, which is not exempted from the payment of VAT. Now, this is based on the VAT Modification Order 2021.”

Tobi Wojuola, a representative of the FIRS, reaffirmed the development and emphasized that it was in line with the VAT Modification Order’s position.

“The position of the VAT Modification Order 2021 is that VAT is chargeable on diesel,” he said.

The NCS made it plain that VAT must be paid on diesel in a letter to certain of its employees on the subject with the reference: NCS/T&T/T/899/217/VOL.I, spotted in Abuja and dated June 8, 2023.

On behalf of the Deputy Comptroller-General (Tariff and Trade), the letter was signed by Mba Musa, Assistant Comptroller-General (Tariff and Trade).

It read in part, “I am directed to forward a letter from Federal Inland Revenue Service on the above subject matter. The VAT Modification order 2021 only exempts petroleum products of HS codes 2709.00.00.00 – 2710.19.12.00 from payment of VAT. AGO or diesel falls classifiable under HS Code 2710.19.21.00 and is not exempted from paying VAT.

“Subsequent upon the above, all future importations of the product should assess and pay VAT at the point of entry into the country. Also note that AGO or diesel are not exempted from destination inspection or import guidelines and as such are expected to process Form M and PAAR as well as make declarations appropriately in the NICIS II system.

“A copy of the letter from FIRS is attached for your information. Take note and be guided accordingly, please.”

On Monday evening, President Bola Tinubu named DIG Egbetokun Olukayode, a former chief security officer, as the acting inspector general of police.

This occurs just three months after Egbetokun’s appointment as the deputy inspector general of police for the South-West geopolitical region of the country was authorized by the Police Service Commission.

DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, who retired from the Service on March 15 of this year, was replaced by DIG Egbetokun.

Willie Bassey, Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary-General to the Federation, announced his appointment as IG in a statement.

In the meanwhile, here are six things to know about the recently chosen acting IGP.

1. In Lagos State, Egbetokun served as the previous police commissioner.
2. He will be replacing Usman Baba.
3. He served as President Tinubu’s chief security officer in 1999, when the latter was the governor of Lagos State.
4. He held various positions including Squadron Commander, Mopol 5, Squadron Commander, Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Fraud Unit, FCT Command, Officer-in-Charge, Administration, Lagos State Command Head Quarters, Ikeja, Area Commander, Osogbo, Osun State Command, and Area Commander, Gusau, Zamfara State Command.
5. In June 1987, Egbetokun received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Lagos in Akoka, Yaba, Lagos. Prior to joining the police force, he temporarily taught mathematics at the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos.
6. Additionally, he has an MBA from Lagos State University, Ojo, a Postgraduate Diploma in Petroleum Economics from Delta State University, Abraka, and an MSc in Engineering Analysis from UNILAG.

The immediate retirement from service of all Service Chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, has been authorized by President Bola Tinubu.

The Comptroller-General and Advisers of the Nigerian Customs Service are also impacted. Their successors have been revealed.

Nuhu Ribadu, who was just appointed as the President’s security adviser last week, was announced as the National Security Advisor in a statement released by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s Director of Information, Willie Bassey, on Monday.

General Lucky Irabor would be replaced as Chief of Defence Staff by Major General Christopher Musa, a former Theatre Commander during Operation Hadin Kai.

As Chief of Army Staff, Major General T. A. Lagbaja will succeed Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya. As Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla will succeed Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo. As Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oludayo Amao will be replaced by Air Vice Marshal H. B. Abubakar.

Other appointments include Major General EPA Undiandeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence and DIG Kayode Egbetokun as Acting Inspector-General of Police.

The President also approved the appointment of Col. Adebisi Onasanya as the Brigade of Guards Commander; Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf, the 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja; Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa, 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State; Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger and Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Similarly, President Tinubu approved the appointments of other military officers in the Presidential Villa.

They are: Maj. Isa Farouk Audu (N/14695) Commanding Officer State House Artillery; Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183) Second-in-Command, State House Artillery; Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656) Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence; Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860) Commanding Officer, State House Armament, and Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578) Second-in- Command, State House Armament.

Adeniyi Adewale has been named the acting comptroller general of customs in a similar spirit.

The President has also approved the appointments of two additional Special Advisers, and two Senior Assistants, namely: Hadiza Bala Usman Special Adviser, Policy Coordination; Hannatu Musa Musawa Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy; Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel, Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (Senate) and Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim, Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)” the statement added.

Bassey emphasized that, in accordance with the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution, the appointed Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, and Comptroller General of Customs are to act in their roles while awaiting confirmation.

Arik Air Limited’s management has denied claims of the misuse of N120 billion in funds while the company is under receivership.

According to reports, the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria’s receiver manager for Arik Air, Mr. Kamilu Omokide, was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly misappropriating and diverting nearly N120 billion.

The airline responded to the news by describing the allegation as untrue and claiming that it was the result of a planned campaign of smears against the receiver manager.

The airline claimed in the statement, which was made available to The PUNCH on Sunday, that Mr. Femi Falana’s appeal contained information about the alleged misuse of N120 billion.

The airline’s PR consultant, SY & T Communications Limited, provided the statement to them.

The primary shareholder of Arik, Sir Arumemi Johnson, was referred to in the announcement by Mr. Simon Tumba, Chief Executive Officer of SY & T Communications, as “the true subject of the investigation.”

The statement added, “Johnson guarantees the N240bn owed by Arik to AMCON as of May 31, 2023, and is, therefore, an obligor in respect of this indebtedness and is personally liable for them.”

It further read in part,” This statement is issued on behalf of Arik Air Limited (in receivership) under the leadership of its Receiver Manager, Omokide, Kamilu Alaba, in response to recent media reports concerning an EFCC investigation into the affairs of Arik. These reports have unjustifiably, and without verification of the facts, linked the Receiver Manager of Arik to financial fraud within Arik.

“The investigation is apparently based on a petition filed by Mr. Femi Falana, SAN (the petition) and was instigated by Sir Arumemi Johnson, the majority shareholder in Arik, which owes AMCON about N240 billion as of May 31, 2023. Sir Arumemi Johnson guaranteed, and therefore is by law an obligor in respect of, this indebtedness and is personally liable for them.

“The wild allegations of the misappropriation of N120bn in the petition are manifestly and patently false and amount to no more than well-concocted lies as part of a deliberate campaign of calumny against the Receiver Manager to abort the ongoing receivership in Arik. Indeed, even on the face of the petition, the claims do not add up to N120 billion. It is made up as a publicity stunt.”

“Also, the statement noted that the receiver manager seeks only to recover money owed to the Nigerian people by the debtor, assuring that he and the airline workers would accord the EFCC maximum cooperation.”

Arik Air further refuted claims that the receiver manager’s actions were “deceptively portrayed, suggesting shady sales of assets, including a number of CRJ aircraft.”

The statement contends that the allegations against the receiver manager are unfounded and have no bearing on how a mortgagee exercises their rights under a mortgage, noting that the JV financing of some wet lease operations, which is an inventive method of raising capital, raises no suspicion of criminal intent.

A Boeing 737-700 aircraft with the registration number 5N-MJI was torn down, according to the statement, and this was a professional decision made because the aircraft couldn’t be repaired for a reasonable price.

It said, “Furthermore, the petition raises concerns about the teardown of a Boeing 737-700 aircraft registered as 5N-MJI, which had been abandoned and cannibalised in Malta ever since 2013 by Arik under the then leadership of Sir Johnson and years before the receivership commenced. This was a professionally taken decision on an aircraft that was Beyond Economic Repairs (BER) and stood the chance of being sent to the graveyard by the authorities of the relevant airport in Malta.

 “The pre-teardown valuation of the aircraft by McLarens (a foremost aircraft valuation company) valued the aircraft at $1.5 million. This was, however, seized by Lufthansa Technik over Arik’s indebtedness incurred pre-receivership.

It added, “The receiver manager firmly asserts his unwavering determination to steadfastly defend the delicately constructed integrity he has nurtured, firmly refusing to permit any baseless allegations to besmirch it. He assures that he and all staff of Arik Air Limited (in receiver) will accord EFCC maximum cooperation”

Alhaji Ibrahim Oyinlade, the Chief Imam of the Uso village in Ondo State’s Owo Local Government Area, was kidnapped on Saturday and is still being held captive.

The preacher was reportedly working on his land when thugs attacked and abducted him to an unidentified location.

According to a family source, the kidnappers phoned the family on Sunday and demanded N10 million in exchange for the release of the cleric.

“They contacted the family on Sunday and demanded a sum of N10 million. That was the last conversation they had with the family.”

According to Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, the state police public relations officer, who confirmed the occurrence, the command’s officers and the vigilante men were already searching the bush for the victim.

“The DPO (of Uso Police Division) and his men with local vigilantes are still in the bush to trace the whereabouts of the man (victim),” the PPRO stated.

Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, claimed that despite the political coup against him, God had unquestionably stopped all of the evil plans against him.

At the family Thanksgiving service on Sunday, which was conducted at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in the Rumuepirikom Deanery of the Diocese of Niger Delta North in his honor, Wike gave a speech.

The outgoing governor clarified that he cannot discuss his successes while serving as governor without thanking God for them.

He remembered that in 2018, he had been poisoned at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign secretariat and had been diagnosed with liver and renal failure in a hospital in Beirut, Lebanon.

The former governor of Rivers State stated that on a fateful Sunday in December 2018, when he was scheduled to attend Chief Emeka Woke’s thanksgivings, he was unable to do so because he had been poisoned.

He stated, “From that Sunday, I never came down from my room. It was bad, but those who attended the January 1st, State Banquet of 2019, will know that I never spoke that day. I just sat down there and I told my deputy governor to speak on my behalf.

“People didn’t know what was going on. After that banquet, by 12 midnight, I was taken out of the country because I thought it was over.

“When we got to Beirut, the doctors looked at me and I was looking at them. They were not telling me anything, they said we have to do many tests.”

He claimed that when the physicians visited the following morning, they delivered a somber message that his kidney and liver had stopped working.

” I never knew that I had been poisoned in our campaign secretariat. My intestinal were all black. The doctors did all they could do.

“But, through divine providence, what would have been a disastrous situation was miraculously turned around by God, who immediately began to restore his failed organs, ” Wike added.

He claimed that within a week, God had cured him, allowing him to fly back to Nigeria and begin the 2019 election campaign for his second term in office.

A police officer was killed in a gunman attack on Rochas Okorocha’s convoy, the former governor of Imo State, on Friday.

On the Okigwe-Enugu expressway, the former governor’s convoy was ambushed at the Ihube community.

Terrorists had besieged the Ihube axis of the expressway and had been killing and abducting people for ransom.

A number of local officials’ homes have already been searched. These have forced a large number of natives to flee their homes in search of safety in the state capital of Owerri and other locations.

Okorocha acknowledged the assassination attempt and the murder of the police officer and expressed regret that his convoy might be targeted.

Okorocha, who headed the state from 2011 to 2019, claimed that the officer slain was one of the officers sent from the government building to accompany him to the funeral service for the mother of Emeka Ihedioha, the recently-departed governor of Imo state.

At Samuel Anyanwu’s birthday anniversary celebration on Sunday in Amaimo, in the state’s Ikeduru Local Government Area, Okorocha, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for governor on November 11 in Imo state, said that the shooting of the cop was “unfortunate.”

The former governor claimed that when his convoy was attacked, he was returning from Enugu where he had attended the funeral service for the wife of a former senate president, Ken Nnamani.

In order to transport himself and his team to Imo state for the funeral ceremony of Ihedioha’s mother, Okorocha said that Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu state, had released vehicles and security personnel.

He revealed that the attack happened after he had done attending the funeral service in Mbaise, the convey had dropped him off at his Spilbat house in Owerri, and they were on their way back to Enugu.

He added that he was angry because although he felt secure in Enugu, an attack occurred and a security guard was slain in his own state.

He said, “I am angry. I  am very angry. I am angry because I spent two days in Enugu and nothing happened to me but it is in my own state that the convoy released to me by the governor of Enugu state (a very good man) to attend the burial ceremony of Ihedioha’s mother at Mbaise that was attacked and one policeman killed.

“What is happening in Imo state makes me angry. Many people who are running to govern Imo state are not capable but I have seen one man who the cap fits. When it is time I will speak.”

Nigerian Hajj pilgrims complained on Saturday that they were stuck at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and blamed Arik Air for missing its flight.

Numerous aspiring pilgrims have been camping at Mosques and other open spaces near the airport since Tuesday, it was learned, crippling operations of the majority of the foreign hajj operators operating in the Lagos zone of the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria.

Hundreds of pilgrims were gathered around the terminal building entrance on Wednesday and Thursday during a visit to the new MMIA airport. Frustrated and powerless, they bemoaned the lack of comfort and convenience they had been experiencing for days.

It was discovered that aspiring pilgrims planned to protest the airline’s office for how they had been treated.

The PR & Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, said in a statement that the problems were being investigated.

It partly read, “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria selected Arik Air as the carrier to work with the tour operators for this year’s hajj exercise. The airline was allocated about 10,000 pilgrims spread across Abuja, Lagos and Kano.

“We commenced the airlift of pilgrims in both Abuja and Lagos on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 and we have carried 374 passengers to date. The issues involved in the smooth operation of the airlift are currently being addressed by all parties involved; Arik Air, NAHCON and the Tour Operators.”

Arik Air in the statement assured the pilgrims that as soon as they “resolve the issues within the next 24 hours, the airlift will resume simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and Kano.”

It added, “We appeal for the understanding of all concerned and apologise for the inconvenience the slow pace of airlift may have caused the intending pilgrims and all the parties involved.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, the premier Igbo sociocultural organization, has condemned the assault on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the head of the Indigenous People of Biafra, by former militant Mujahid Dokubo-Asari.

The Igbo group urged President Bola Tinubu to invite Kanu to a round table discussion instead of listening to people like Dokubo.

Dokubo had called the IPOB leader a criminal and urged President Tinubu not to release him while speaking to journalists following a meeting with the latter.

Ndigbo have continued to be incensed by his statement, with many claiming he overstepped his bounds.

In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the president of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, claimed that Dokubo-Asari was supported by individuals who wanted to topple President Tinubu’s administration.

He believed it was incomprehensible that the ex-militant who poses as the “son of the President” was busy coming up with ideas that would further polarize the country while many patriotic citizens were considering methods to bring the country together.

“We have always known Dokubo-Asari as a rabble-rouser who is not interested in the progress and prosperity of this nation.

“This is a man who had been in the creeks for years sabotaging the country’s economy. We all know what it is to sabotage the economy of a country- what other crime could be more than this?

“But curiously, the same man who claims to have repented, even when his boys are still in the creeks, has the temerity to brand Nnamdi Kanu a criminal.

“When did Asari Dokubo become a court of competent jurisdiction to decide who is a criminal? He has only taken his hatred for Ndigbo too far,” Okwu said.

The Igbo group urged President Tinubu to ignore Dokubo and his ilks “who are not in any way interested in the positive future of the country but their selfish gains.

“Mr President made it clear that he is ready to unite the fragmented country he inherited from the past administration and he has been so much applauded for this.

“We urge Mr President to go ahead and not allow his administration to be derailed by hypocrites like Asari Dokubo who want to feed fat from any form of crisis in the country. Mr President should be wary of him and his sponsors who are enemies of the government.

“The Federal Government should do well to invite and engage Nnamdi Kanu and other agitators. They are fighting for justice and marginalisation. If the government could engage members of Boko Haram who have killed and maimed millions of people, it should not find it hard to engage the agitators.

“Mr President is one of those who vehemently fought in favour of democracy and justice in the past; he should give a listening ear to Nnamdi Kanu,” Okwu said.

Ohanaeze, however, warned Dokubo “to desist from any further attempt to use Nnamdi Kanu’s ordeal to promote his interests.

“Enough is enough, we warn him to henceforth stop using Ndigbo as an avenue to promote his ego. Everyone knows he has personal issues with Nnamdi Kanu.”

Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of Binance, has branded Nigeris’s affiliate of the international cryptocurrency exchange platform as a hoax.

On Sunday, Zhao announced this via his Twitter account, calling Binance Nigeria Limited “a scam entity.”

“Binance has issued cease & desist notice to the scammer entity “Binance Nigeria Limited”. Don’t believe everything you read in the news,” he wrote.