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Unity bank sealed up over alleged tax evasion

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Unity bank sealed up over alleged tax evasion

Unity Bank Plc has been sealed up by the government over tax evasion.

It was gathered that the bank kicked against the law by refusing to remit N105 million personal income Tax/Assets.

Customers of Unity Bank Plc in Benue have continued to groan following the sealing of the bank’s premises by the state government  over alleged tax default since May.

The bank allegedly failed to remit N105 million Personal Income Tax/Assets to the Benue Board of Internal Revenue Services (BIRS).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that the bank was sealed along with three others on May 25.

NAN checks on Tuesday revealed that all the branches in the state were affected by the action.

The Board Executive Chairman, Mrs Mimi Orubibi, had told newsmen that the enforcement was in compliance with the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 (amended) and  the Benue State Internal Revenue Administration Law 2015.

Orubibi had explained that the affected banks failed to comply with tax laws, court orders and failed to supply the board with all the necessary documents for auditing.

She said that the banks were all given “best of judgement” after failing to remit the monies at the expiration of seven days demand notices which were served on them on April 10.

The tax boss further disclosed that other banks in the state had complied with the board and reconciliation was ongoing.

However, customers were seen complaining to security guards at the bank’s gates following the continuous sealing of the premises.

They expressed frustration and disappointment as the situation had created hardships, especially in feeding their families for months, following their inability to access funds from the bank, including their salaries.

Mr James Audu, a customer, told NAN that the bank had failed to keep its social contract with customers.

Audu expressed disappointment at the behaviour of the bank management, adding that it had continued to keep quiet over the matter.

“I have never seem a situation like this in my life where a bank will close for good four months in a state, forcing its customers to suffer simply because it failed to remit tax. ”

Also, Mr Alson Yakubu, a worker, said the bank had disgraced the sector.

Yakubu explained that pensioners and civil servants in the state, who were patronising the bank, were groaning as they could not access their emolument even though they were paid.

At the bank, customers expressed general disappointment and threatened to close their accounts from the affected bank.

Several attempts by a NAN correspondent to get reaction from the branch manager of the bank and other officials proved abortive as non of them was around. (NAN)

The security guards on duty were also not helpful as they refused to give phone numbers of any official of the bank.

Biafra: IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu absent as treason trial resumes

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Biafra: IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu absent as treason trial resumes

The leader of a pro-Biafran group that wants to break away from Nigeria failed to appear in court on Tuesday as his treason trial was scheduled to resume.

Nnamdi Kanu, who heads the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, was nowhere to be seen as proceedings resumed at the Federal High Court in the capital, Abuja.

Prosecutor Shuaibu Labaran said Kanu’s absence was “contrary to the order of this court” but the separatist leader’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said: “I don’t know where my client is.

“The home of of the first defendant (Kanu) was invaded by soldiers and since that time I have not heard from him. I cannot tell… whether (he) is alive or dead.”

Ejiofor also suggested Kanu was “in the custody of the (federal government)”.

Judge Binta Nyako adjourned the case until November 20, pending more information as to Kanu’s whereabouts.

Kanu and three other defendants, who were remanded in custody, are facing several charges linked to his calls for a separate state for the Igbo people, the majority in Nigeria’s southeast.

He was first arrested in October 2015, stoking grievances that have festered since a previous declaration of independence in 1967 sparked a bloody, 30-month civil war.

The conflict left at least one million people dead, most of them Igbos from the effects of starvation and disease, as federal forces blockaded the fledgling state.

Threat of violence
Kanu, who also runs the London-based Radio Biafra station, was released on bail in April this year on health grounds but under strict terms.

The judge ruled that he should not attend any rally, be in a crowd of more than 10 people or give any media interviews while on bail.

He was ordered to pay sureties totalling 300 million naira ($835,000, 710,000 euros) to ensure his attendance at trial.

Ejiofor told reporters at the time they were “very sure we will fulfil the conditions for bail”. But since then, Kanu has rarely been out of the spotlight.

He told AFP in an interview in May to mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration of independence that he was “more determined than ever” to secure a breakaway republic.

He also called for “civil disobedience” until a referendum was granted on self-determination.

Kanu’s whereabouts have been the source of increasing speculation in recent weeks, after a military surge in his home city of Umuahia and the surrounding area.

The IPOB leader’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, said the army attacked the family’s compound last month, killing 28.

The army has denied the claim and also that they were holding Kanu, but their tactics come in for criticism for fueling tensions in the restive region.

Comparisons have been drawn to Boko Haram’s founder Muhammad Yusuf, who died in custody in 2009 during a military crackdown in the northeastern city of Maiduguri.

“If anything happens to him (Kanu), the reactions are likely to be very violent in the southeast,” said security consultant Don Okereke.

AFP

Mugabe’s wife set to become 2nd female vice president

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Mugabe’s wife set to become 2nd female vice president

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace is set to become the country’s second female vice president after the ruling Zanu-PF party’s 10 provinces agreed to have an extraordinary congress to amend the constitution.

Provincial leaders who spoke to The Herald, said apart from reaffirming Mugabe’s position as the party’s sole presidential candidate in the 2018 elections, they also wanted to have the constitution amended to set aside a vice presidential slot to women.

Spokesperson for Harare province Abicia Ushewokunze said the provincial executive committee had resolved to amend the 2014 party constitution to accommodate “issues to do with youth and women’s leagues” and to establish a female vice presidency.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace is set to become the country’s second female vice president after the ruling Zanu-PF party’s 10 provinces agreed to have an extra-ordinary congress to amend the constitution.

Provincial leaders who spoke to The Herald, said apart from reaffirming Mugabe’s position as the party’s sole presidential candidate in the 2018 elections, they also wanted to have the constitution amended to set aside a vice presidential slot to women.

Spokesperson for Harare province Abicia Ushewokunze said the provincial executive committee had resolved to amend the 2014 party constitution to accommodate “issues to do with youth and women’s leagues” and to establish a female vice presidency.

“We resolved that the constitution be amended as there are a number of issues yet to be addressed, especially the women’s league resolution on vice presidents,” he said.

Other provinces also resolved that Mugabe should be the party and government leader for life.

Zanu-PF was due to have an annual meeting in December, but this will now been turned into an extra-ordinary congress.

The next ordinary congress is scheduled for 2019.

The party constitution has provisions for two vice presidents, currently occupied by men, but the women’s league has been advocating one of the positions to be set aside for a woman.

Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko are the vice presidents after Mugabe appointed them in 2014.

Mugabe in July advised the women’s league to consider amendments to the party’s constitution to create a slot for a third vice-president post that would be reserved for women.

This was after his wife, who is also the secretary for women’s affairs, said that the party should revert to its resolutions that one vice-president’s position be reserved for women.

The party constitution was amended in 2004 to create the position of woman vice president which went to Joice Mujuru.

However, the provision was removed in 2014 as the First Lady ostensibly pushed for Mujuru’s ouster after accusing her of trying to topple her husband.

The position is also no longer an elected one as the party created one center of power and gave Mugabe the prerogative to appoint all members of the Politburo, which is the party’s highest decision-making body outside congress.

As the most senior female party member by virtue of being the secretary for women’s affairs in the Politburo, the First Lady has higher chances of landing the vice presidency than any other female member.

Femi Otedola’s $600,000 Bribe: Lawan’s case start afresh on 24 October

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Femi Otedola’s $600,000 Bribe: Lawan’s case start afresh on 24 October

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court, Jabi on Tuesday granted the application of Farouk Lawan seeking transfer of his case from Justice Angela Otaluka of FCT Lugbe High Court.

The judge will now hear the case in his court from 24 October.

Halilu said that the administration of criminal justice must be followed in the interest of justice, adding that the transfer of cases from one court to the other remains the administrative power of the Chief Judge.

Lawan’s lawyer had petitioned the Chief Judge of FCT, Ishaq Bello, alleging bias and lack of confidence in Otaluka’s court.

He argued that the Chief Judge of the FCT has the prerogative to reassign cases, based on Section 168 of the Administration of Criminal Justice.

Justice Halilu however said that the chief Judge did not need to consult anyone to take any action. He thus dismissed the counter-application by the prosecutor, for lack of merit and authority.

He said that the administration of criminal justice system has to do with the liberty of the citizens.

“This matter has been transfered back and forth and this is not good for the image of the bar and the bench, though the prosecutor has the right to appeal against the judgment.

“The court has no interest in this case other than to ensure that justice must not only be done but it must be seen to have been done,” he said.

Mr Jude Odi, the prosecuting counsel, said that he would require time and a specific instruction from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to go ahead with the matter based on the court ruling.

He asked for time to brief the office of the AGF. He said the ruling has made it necessary to consult his principal.

He said he could not proceed with the case because he was not prepared to do so.

Mr Sekup Zumka, Counsel to the defendant said that there was no legal basis for the court to defer an arraignment to a latter day, adding that the court could proceed after its ruling.

According to him, taking the plea of the defendant does not signify a miscarriage of justice; there must be significant ground for adjournment.

“I hereby urge the court to dismiss the application of the prosecuting counsel and proceed on arraignment.

Justice Halilu however granted the prayer of the prosecuting counsel and adjourned arraignment till Oct 24.

Lawan is facing prosecution for receiving $600,000 bribe, from oil mogul, Femi Otedola during a probe by the House of Representatives of the scandalous oil subsidy regime during the Jonathan era.

Mr. Otedola’s companies, Zenon and Synopsis, allegedly paid  Mr Lawan bribes to get their names off the indictment roll of the House.

NAN

Gospel Artiste, Oladunjoye Releases Video for Hit Song, “Olodumare”

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Gospel Artiste, Oladunjoye Releases Video for Hit Song, “Olodumare”

Popular gospel artiste Olaseni Oladunjoye  comes to town with  video for hit song ‘’Olodumare’’

The much anticipated video for the musical  “Olodumare” is finally out and become an instant hit.
Olodumare, a gospel song is the production of evangelist Olaseni Oladunjoye.

Oladunjoye, a vocalist and producer released the talk-about hit track a while back. And it enjoyed massive acceptance across the gospel circle – and beyond.

The track, Olodumare is a ‘’high praise’’ song people of faith across all divides are relating with.

The newly released video is aimed at further soaring its popularity and acceptance.

Here is the link to the video –http://www.gentleloaded.com/2017/10/09/audio-video-oladunjoye-olaseni-olodumare/
Oladunjoye, better known for his lyrics and stagecraft, is the brain behind the highly rated album, ‘’Adura Mi Gba’’.

Nigerian football legend Kanu Nwankwo launches N1b lotto

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Nigerian football legend Kanu Nwankwo launches N1b lotto

Nigerian football legend Kanu Nwankwo has launched the N1 billion Jackpot Lotto to Support Kanu Heart Foundation which was inaugurated in 2000.

The foundation has helped not just people in Nigeria but also paid for 538 children to be treated at facilities throughout the world

Kanu, a philanthropist launched the biggest lotto in Africa to raise funds for the foundation to help build a specialist cardiac hospital in Abuja.

The jackpot starting at N1 billion and will be run in conjunction with AfroMillonsLotto (www.AfroMillionsLotto.com).

It offers twice-weekly draws with bigger jackpots than all the lotteries in Nigeria combined, as well as being the largest jackpot anywhere in Africa.

Twenty per cent of every ticket sold will go directly to KHF to help it continue its work ensuring underprivileged children across Africa with heart problems get the treatment they need.

Since its launch in 2000, KHF has helped not just people in Nigeria, but also paid for 538 children to be treated at facilities throughout the world.

At the launch, Kanu said: “We are excited to launch this major fund-raising initiative for the Kanu Heart Foundation and hope people support it by buying tickets, helping us to build a new heart hospital for Nigeria.”

“Not only could people change their own life with the potential to win the jackpot of over N1 billion, they can help to change the lives of other people by supporting our Foundation”.

The first KHF.AfroMillionsLotto.com draw will hold on 18th October, 2017.

The website also offers nine, ‘Candy Crush’ style, Instant Win games, which can be played for fun or to win cash prizes of up to N12 million.

If there isn’t a jackpot winner, the prize money rolls over, increasing by N100 million with each draw until it reaches a maximum of over N2 billion.

AfroMillionsLotto is the Nigerian Professional Football League’s (NPFL) exciting new lotto.

“Winners of the jackpot could afford one of the most expensive homes on sale in Nigeria, the wedding of their dreams, a chrome-plated Ferrari and still have money left over!

“Another huge benefit of buying your ticket on-line with AfroMillionsLotto is the fact you’ll receive an alert via email if you’ve won.

“Millions of cash prizes go unclaimed every year as people forget to check whether they have a winning ticket,’’ Mr. Shehu Dikko, an official of the organisation said in a statement.

He said that the website also offers nine, ‘Candy Crush’ style, Instant Win games, which can be played for fun or to win cash prizes of up to N12 million.’’

Each NPFL club, he said, would have its own lotto website so football fans could support their favourite team.

“Every time someone buys a ticket or pays to play, that club will receive a percentage of the revenue to help fund player development, contribute to stadium and pitch improvements as well as support community-based projects.’’

Three killed in UK hurricane Ophelia

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Three killed in UK hurricane Ophelia

The storm of Hurricane Ophelia has killed three people in the United Kingdom, as the Irish Republic’s Electricity Supply Board confirms that 360,000 homes are now out of power.

Ireland and Wales are the major areas of the UK currently affected by the storm, which is estimated to hit a speed of 175 kilometres per hour.

The skies over London, Brighton, and many parts of the UK has been cloudy and dark, featuring a slightly red sun, and elevated temperatures.

According to BBC, two people have been killed in the Irish Republic — a man in his 30s and a woman in her 50s. The man was reported to have died as a result of a chainsaw accident caused by the heavy tropical storm.

The woman died when a tree fell on her car in Co Waterford, south east Ireland — a woman in her 70s was also injured in the crash. The two deaths were no way related.

The UK Guardian also reports that a third person was killed in Dundalk, near the border with Northern Ireland, after another tree fell on their car, taking the death toll in Ireland as a result of the storm to three.

Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, issued a personal appeal for people to remain indoors, describing Ophelia as a national emergency.

“The last time we had a storm this severe, 11 lives were lost, so safety is our number one priority,” he said, referring to a Storm Debbie of 1961.

Prime Minister Theresa May has contacted the Irish prime minister, expressing her condolences.

“On storm Ophelia, the prime minister expressed her sympathies for the loss of life and said the UK government stood ready to provide any support if requested,” a statement from the prime minister’s office read.

North Korea battles new EU sanctions

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North Korea battles new EU sanctions

European Union (EU) foreign ministers on Monday adopted a new set of sanctions against North Korea, as pressure mounts on the country to stop its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The new sanctions, which go beyond measures mandated by the UN Security Council, include a total ban on EU investment in North Korea and a ban on the sale of any refined petroleum products or crude oil to the country.

Individual personal money transfers to North Korea from the country’s nationals living in the EU will also be limited to 5,000 euros (5,900 dollars) from the previous limit of 15,000 euros.

The EU has also decided not to renew work permits for North Koreans in the bloc unless the workers in question are refugees or are under international protection.

The bloc also added three additional persons and six entities to its sanctions list, meaning 41 people and 10 entities are now targeted by the EU sanctions.

Additionally, 63 people and 53 entities are listed under UN sanctions.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini admitted that the lack of economic ties between North Korea and the EU means that “the impact of our sanctions is limited.”

“But there are others that do have relations with [North Korea] that can have a major impact on the regime there,” she said.

The EU continues to work with its partners in the region, notably South Korea, to explore “the possibility of opening a diplomatic, political negotiation pattern,” Mogherini said.

NAN reports that the UN Security Council on Sept. 11 unanimously adopted a resolution imposing fresh sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear test on Sept. 3 in violation of the previous Security Council resolutions.

The new sanctions severely restrict the North Korea’s oil imports, and ban its textile exports worth 800 million U.S. dollars and the remittances from about 93,000 overseas labourers.

Pyongyang on Sept. 3 detonated a hydrogen bomb capable of being carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile, the sixth nuclear test it has undertaken, running counter to relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the goal of denuclearising the Korean Peninsula.

dpa/NAN

“The blind won’t see what we are doing”- Yahaya Bello

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“The blind won’t see what we are doing”- Yahaya Bello

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, says it is only those who are blind that are saying he has not done enough to promote tourism in his state.

Speaking with state house correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, the governor said his administration is doing its best to ensure security.

A reporter had asked him: “What will you say you are not doing enough to promote tourism in your state?”

Responding, Bello said, “It’s only those who are blind that will not see what we are doing… Before you attract tourists to your state, you have to secure it.

“There must also be infrastructure. All these are being taken care of as we speak… Investors are coming in in their numbers. They are so many that are coming. It’s not out of place to say they see that the place is secure.”

Bello said he met with the president to brief him on the happenings in Kogi. He said the state was very stable, except for a “few Diaspora politicians that are making noise in the media”.

He asked the people of the state to be patient with him because “things are hard generally”.

“The only thing is that the good people of Kogi state should continue to be patient with this government. Things are hard generally and we are trying our best, and that is why we are transparent in everything that we do. I’m sure you are aware of the periodic publishing of our accounts, very soon we are going to publish all the salaries that we have paid to workers since inception in newspapers for people to see it. All the noise about Kogi not paying salaries will be in public domain,” he added.

He described workers of the state who are on strike as political civil servants.

Some workers of the state are on strike owing to the failure of the government to pay them a backlog of salaries.

He said he was trying to keep up with the payment of salaries, but that the “economy is biting hard everywhere”.

“Those workers that are on strike are political civil servants; the real civil servants are coming to work. We are trying our best to keep up with the payment of salaries. There is no denying the fact that the economy is biting hard everywhere and you will recall that I met four-month salary backlog, I cleared it and today we are keeping up to date. We are owing August and September as we speak,” he said.

“We are up to date in terms of salaries and those that come to work we shall pay them and those that don’t come to work, the no-work-no-pay rule shall surely apply.”   The Cable NG

Russia: Nigeria Senate President presides over session at 137th IPU

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Russia: Nigeria Senate President presides over session at 137th IPU

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki on Monday, presided over a session at the ongoing 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The session chaired by Saraki was a debate which focused on ending the grave humanitarian crisis, persecution and violent attacks on the Rohingyas as a threat to international peace and security.

The session also deliberated on ensuring the unconditional and safe return of the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar.

Saraki presided over speakers of parliaments from many countries who are participating in the 137th IPU.

Nigeria is one of the countries faces with humanitarian crisis with the North Eastern part of the country still suffering grave crisis as a result of the activities of the violent group, Boko Haram.

On Sunday, while making a presentation during a general debate, Saraki called for international conference on the North East and Boko Haram threat in Nigeria.

According to him, convening an international conference like the ones convened in London on Somalia and Syria, would go a long way in finding lasting solution to the problem in the region.

“Nigeria’s North East region has suffered terribly  under  the onslaught of Boko Haram insurgents.

“Two million Nigerians are internally displaced or have fled to neighbouring countries like the Lake Chad region, where 4.4 million people are threatened by food insecurity.

“Of the funds needed to address the problem, less than half has been raised. The United Nations has called the situation in the Lake Chad region the most neglected humanitarian crisis in the world.

“The 8th National Assembly is at the forefront of improved coordination efforts to overcome institutional and logistical impediments in the way of getting aid for those in need.

“We have reached an advanced stage in the plans for a development commission to tackle the crisis in the North East, incidentally the region   with the highest poverty rate in the country.

“We have also made economic growth and greater  investment  the core of our legislative agenda.

“The sooner we deliver economic reforms and greater prosperity to all Nigerian, the sooner we can achieve a more inclusive society and minimize societal divisions and grievances,’’ he said.

The 137th IPU has as its theme: “Promoting Cultural Pluralism and Peace through Inter-Faith and Inter-Ethnic Dialogue”.

Saraki expressed optimism that the 137th IPU would offer a lasting solution to the growing world conflicts.

Initially, the organization was for individual parliamentarians, but has since transformed into an international organization of the parliaments of sovereign states. NAN

 

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