Content Creators Who Refuse To Pay Tax Will Be Penalized – CAC
The Corporate Affairs Commission has warned that skit makers social media influencers, Instagram, and TikTok users with large followings who refuse to pay tax risk being penalized. The Registrar General, CAC, Hussaini Magaji, revealed this on Tuesday, when he was paid a courtesy visit by the Managing Director, Opay, Dauda Gotring, and his team in Abuja. Recall that the Federal Inland Revenue Services on Monday revealed that social media influencers and skit makers are exempted from paying tax as they do not fall within the purview of the FIRS. But the CAC boss said that social media and content creators are generating a lot of money without paying any form of tax to the Federal Government. Magaji said, “Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. It is stated in the Company and Allied Matters 2020 that for any business to take place in Nigeria, whether you are doing business with your name or another name, you must surrender your business for registration. ” If you are a content creator on the internet and you have a large followership and you are gaining or making money from it, you must register and that’s the provision of the law. “And we are all out to enforce the provision of the law with its penalties.” He added that the commission will soon begin compliance checks to ensure these businesses start paying their taxes to the government. He added, “This cannot go on, these groups of people are under mandate to register as a business considering the amount they make from the content creation. The government is all out to ensure every business in Nigeria, no matter what or how, is registered with the CAC.
Atiku Disowns Aide Daniel Bwala, Clarifies Relationship
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has clarified the relationship between himself and a lawyer cum politician, Daniel Bwala. According to Atiku, in a statement released on Tuesday by his media office, Bwala is a former spokesperson of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation and not his former aide. The statement noted that “it is important that the media and the general public take corrective note of defining Mr. Daniel Bwala as an aide to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar.” It added that Bwala served as a spokesperson to the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization in the 2023 election, and after the election, the need for a campaign spokesperson was terminated, and Bwala has also moved on. The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, therefore, urged the public/media to stop defining Bwala as an ex-aide of Atiku Abubakar, but recognize him by his current vocation and alliance. “Bwala offered his services and support to the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization as a spokesperson – and it was a position he held during the last presidential campaign. “Subsequently, and after the election, the need for a campaign spokesperson has terminated, and Bwala has moved on with his career. “This, therefore, serves as notice to the media and the interested public to desist from defining Bwala as an ex-aide of Atiku Abubakar. “We duly urge the public to henceforth recognize, introduce, and define Daniel Bwala by his current vocation and alliance,” the statement noted. The clarification by Atiku comes amidst the recent fraternization and declaration of support by Bwala for the administration of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Details Of PDP BoT Meeting In Abuja Emerge
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the escalating insecurity and the continuous depreciation of the Naira. The call came after a meeting at the PDP National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, where Adolphus Wabara, the newly appointed Chairman, expressed deep concerns about economic hardship, high costs of essential commodities, and alarming food scarcity. Wabara emphasized the BoT’s distress over the worsening insecurity, corruption, falling Naira value, high fuel prices, and unemployment. He stated “The BoT is alarmed by the worsening insecurity in the country as evident in the rising cases of mass killings, banditry, kidnap for ransom, and acts of terrorism by assailants who are emboldened by the manifest laidback attitude of the APC administration to issues of security, especially in the last nine months. “The BoT is appalled by the monumental corruption and unbridled treasury-looting in the APC administration especially the looting of billions of Naira meant for palliatives for poor and vulnerable Nigerians. “The BoT is seriously worried over the fall of the Naira to an abysmal N1,500 to the Dollar, incessant increase in the pump price of fuel which now sells for over N700 per liter with long queues in various parts of the country. “These have attendant negative consequences as evident in the nearly 30% inflation rate, 41% unemployment rate, and alarming 46% poverty rate where up to 130 million citizens have sunk deeper into multi-dimensional poverty in the last nine months. “The BoT is disturbed that the catastrophic economic and security situation in the country has left Nigerians hopeless, despondent, angry and constitutes a present and immediate threat to the survival of the country as hardworking young Nigerians, professionals in critical fields as well as major multinational companies are now leaving our nation in droves. “The BoT is distressed that there are no concrete and coherent policies, measures, and steps by the APC administration to address these existential threats which have put the country in a precarious situation. “The BoT calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to know that the situation in the country has become unbearable. Mr. President should immediately address the issues of corruption in his administration, worsening insecurity in the country, continuous fall in the value of the Naira, high fuel price, unbearable food scarcity, and unemployment in the country.”
How Buhari’s signature forged to withdraw $6.2 billion from CBN – Boss Mustapha
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has revealed how former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari’s signature was forged. Mustapha said Buhari’s signature was forged to withdraw $6,230,000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before the 2023 elections. He made the revelation while testifying during the trial of former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele. Mustapha also claimed his signature was forged, stating his lack of knowledge about the funds supposedly withdrawn for foreign election observers. He emphasized that the responsibility for dealing with such matters rested solely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not the CBN or the federal government.
Buhari didn’t sign alleged $6.2M foreign election observers payment- Boss Mustapha
The Immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, Tuesday, said the letter credited to former President Buhari as author and signatory did not emanate from the Presidency while another one purported to have emanated from him and signed by him were forged documents. The ex-SGF revealed this to the federal high court Abuja, clearing former President Muhammadu Buhari and himself from the alleged fraudulent payment of $6.2M dollars to foreign election monitoring observers. Mustapha made the clarifications on Tuesday while giving evidence in the trial of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. He said that the one, Jubrin Abubakar who allegedly collected the $6.2M cash on February 8, 2023 under the watch of Emefiele was not a staff of the office of the SGF and was not known to him. Mustapha faulted the purported two letters alleged to have emanated from the Presidency under Buhari and the SGF office adding that the letters did not conform with the standard with which the Presidency and SGF write letters. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC had alleged that Emefiele forged the letters to defraud the federal government to the tune of$6, 230, 000 under the guise of making payments to some foreign election monitoring observers. Mustapha insisted that the issue of payment for either local or foreign observers is the sole responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and not any other federal government agency. “Iam not privy to the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN and cannot write the governor for the attention of the Director, Banking Services. “From mere looking at the purported letters, the headline down the contents are defective. Iam not aware of the contents of the letters because there was no Federal Executive Council approval for such a thing”, he said. “The purported letter from the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation bears my name as the SGF. To the best of my knowledge, the letter did not emanate from the SGF office. If did not emanate from the SGF office, then, I did not sign it. ” Nigerian government has no business with foreign election observers. That I know as a fact because I managed two election cycles. INEC has sole responsibility for the foreign election monitoring observers. “Looking at the signature on the purported letter that emanated from the Presidency, it is a failed attempt at reproducing President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature. “Uptil the time I left office, I did not know anything about the transactions. All through my service, I did not come across the letter purported to have been written by Mr President. “On the face value, and having served as SGF for 5 years and 7 months as SGF, I can say this letter did not emanate from the Presidency for seven major reasons. “Among others, the seal of the Presidency does not carry reference number. Seal itself is the authority. Federal Executive Council decisions are not transmitted by letters but by extracts after conclusions have been adopted. “Iam the custodian of FEC. The President will not refer FEC conclusions to me. In all the correspondences from the Presidency, President Buhari never ended with “Please, accept the assurances of my highest regards. Trial to be continued March 7th, 11th and 25th.
Tinubu Nominates Hajj Commission Leadership, asks Senate to Scrutinize for Compliance
President Bola Tinubu has submitted nominations for the leadership of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCOM) to the Senate for confirmation. The announcement, conveyed through a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpiabio and read during a plenary session in Abuja, listed the nominees for key positions of the commission. The letter, which cited provisions of the National Hajj Commission Act 2006, outlined the proposed appointments as follows: – Jalal Alabi for Chairman – Aliyu Abdulrazaq for Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, and Finance – Mr. Anofi Elegushi for Commissioner of Operations – Prof. Abubakar Yagawal for Commissioner of Planning and Research Acknowledging the importance of adherence to the Act, Senate President Akpiabio underscored the requirement for commission members to represent all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. He indicated that further communication with the President’s Chief of Staff would be initiated to ensure compliance with this provision. Subsequently, the Senate referred President Tinubu’s request to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for meticulous examination and legislative recommendations. The committee has been tasked with providing a comprehensive report within 10 days, ensuring that the nominees meet the necessary criteria and represent the diversity of Nigeria’s regions.
Senate Holds Closed-Door Meeting with Service Chiefs and Ministers on National Security
In response to the escalating state of insecurity across the nation, the Senate convened another closed-door executive session on Tuesday to receive a detailed security briefing from top military officials and federal ministers. The decision to transition into the executive session was prompted by a motion by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who sought to temporarily suspend regular proceedings to allow for the admission of invited guests. The guests granted access to the session comprised the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, along with the Ministers of Defence, Police Affairs, Interior, and Finance. Additionally, all Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and Directors-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) were present. Senate President, Godswill Akpiabio, in his opening remarks, underscored the significance of involving ministers responsible for overseeing the financial allocations to security agencies. Akpabio emphasized the pivotal role of adequate funding in facilitating the procurement of essential equipment necessary for combating security threats. Of notable presence was the Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, whose insights were sought on avenues for financing critical security initiatives aimed at safeguarding lives and properties. Akpiabio reiterated that the invitation extended to the ministers and security chiefs was a response to numerous petitions received from constituents, demonstrating the Senate’s commitment to addressing the concerns of citizens. The interactive security briefing was framed within the context of the Senate’s oversight mandate, providing an opportunity for direct engagement with key stakeholders to assess the current security landscape and explore legislative interventions. Senators seized the opportunity to raise pertinent security-related queries and collaborated with relevant agencies to devise effective strategies for mitigating the nation’s security challenges.
Tinubu Rewards Super Eagles With National Awards, Flats, Lands
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday honoured the Super Eagles of Nigeria with the national award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), presenting them with flats in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and parcels of land. The announcement was made during a reception for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) delegation, led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja. The president praised the team, coach, crew, and management for their dedication and perseverance throughout the Africa Cup of Nations, where they secured the runner-up position. Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to stay positive, highlighting the team’s remarkable journey and calling for unity and continued effort towards national success. “Let this passing event not dispirit us but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love. “To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” the president said.
We’ll Announce Ogunbanjo’s Successor Soon – Beta Glass
Beta Glass, a subsidiary of Frigoglass Group, is set to disclose its board’s succession plan in the wake of the passing of Abimbola Ogunbanjo, its chairman. Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in the United States last Friday. The crash also claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, former group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc, along with his wife and son. In a corporate filing on Monday, Beta Glass affirmed that its board of directors would offer continued support during this transition period. “In due time Beta Glass and the Frigoglass Group will communicate the board’s succession plan. In the interim, the Company will continue to receive support from its Board of Directors,” the company stated. Gagik Apkarian, chairman of Frigoglass Group board and managing director of Tetrad Capital Partners, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting Ogunbanjo’s dedication during her eight-year tenure as Beta Glass chairman. “We extend our deepest condolences to Abi’s family, friends, and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Apkarian added. Darren Bennett-Voci, Beta Glass’ CEO, emphasized Ogunbanjo’s lasting impact on the company, pledging to uphold his legacy by maintaining the values and vision he instilled. In addition to his role at Beta Glass, Ogunbanjo was actively involved in various professional organizations, including the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping and the Institute of Directors (IoD). Meanwhile, Access Holdings announced Bolaji Agbede as the successor to Wigwe as its GCEO on February 12, 2024.
Alleged N10b fraud: How witness, threatened by EFCC appeared in court
There was a mild drama at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Tuesday, as Rabiu Musa, a witness, allegedly threatened by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) suddenly appeared in court. The Abuja based Bureau De Change operator, is that prosecution star witness in an alleged N10billion fraud suit against Ali Bello and Daudu Suleiman. At the resumed trial, Tuesday, Counsel to EFCC, Hannatu Kofamaisa informed Justice James Omotoso that the witness, was alleged to have been threatened, following his appearance at the last trial and got scared. Hannatu explained that the witness would not be in court to continue his evidence, based on his experience of threats at the last adjourned date, adding that she had called the witness five times but that he was no longer picking her calls. She therefore seeks for an adjournment of the trial. Responding, Counsel to Ali Bello, Abdullahi Aliu, SAN, said that he would not react to the EFCC’s allegations because they were not targeted at his client and did not oppose the request for an adjournment. However, drama unfolded when the witness alleged to have been threatened away from court and would not attend the trial, suddenly walked into the court room without any signs of apprehension. The counsel to Ali Bello got up and drew the attention of Justice Omotoso to the quiet arrival of the witness into the court room. It took the intervention of Justice Omotoso to doused tension lawyers to Ali Bello and Daudu Suleman from joining issues with EFCC on the allegations. In his testimony, the witness identitied one of his record books of transactions seized from him by EFCC during a raid of his office at Wuse, in Abuja and also admitted knowing Ali Bello. Under cross examination by Nureni Jimoh SAN who stood for Daudu Suleman, the Bureau De Change operator who claimed to be an illiterate said most of the transactions were recorded for him by one Mubarak who he said was literate and now a student at a University. The witness also said that parts of the transactions were recorded in his absence but that he was always briefed upon his arrival at the office. Meanwhile, the matter has been adjourned till February 22 and 23 for continuation of trial.