Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi stands at the helm of the Department of State Services (DSS) with a reputation for integrity, firmness, and dedication. As the Director General of the DSS, Bichi has exhibited numerous commendable characteristics that have not only defined his leadership style but have also shaped the institution he leads. One of Bichi’s most notable qualities is his unwavering stance against corruption. With zero tolerance for corrupt practices, he has implemented stringent measures to ensure that the DSS operates with the highest standards of integrity and transparency. Under his leadership, the agency has become a beacon of integrity…
Author: Adewale A.
Landed properties have proven to be one of the most visible indicators of personal wealth. As they are easily identified and immovable, it makes generating revenue from them relatively easy for both landlords and governments. In most OECD countries, property taxes account for 1-2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while in other countries collection amounts to only 0.1 – 0.2% of their GDP. Revenue potentials from the property-related taxes include Land Use Charges, Capital Gains Tax, Withholding Tax on rental Income, Personal Income on Rental Income, Stamp Duties, Building Plan Approvals, Ratification and regularisation fees. Although Nigeria’s real estate…
Ogoni is one of the world’s most celebrated cases of state-sponsored repression. Against all odds, the people have persevered in the search for justice, equity and basic freedoms deserving of all humanity. Indeed, it has been a painful account that in our own country, our government ordered a military crackdown that left some 4,000 people dead, and thousands of others went through torture, rape, and brutal detentions which were supervised by Major Paul Okuntimo, the commander of the military task force at the time. Trouble started in 1958 when the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s subsidiary of…
Honourable Dr Sikirulai Ogundele, the former Chairman of Ifo Local Government and Chairman/CEO of Neugate Hotels, Abeokuta, will be conferred with the chieftaincy title of Obalumore of Owu Kingdom by His Royal Majesty, Oba Prof Saka Ademilola Matemilola FNSE, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom. The installation ceremony will take place at the Oke Ago Owu Palace, Abeokuta, on February 22, 2024, at 10.00 am. The chieftaincy honour bestowed on Hon Ogundele is in recognition of his immense contribution to the peace and development of the Owu Kingdom and Ogun State in general.
In a decisive ruling, Justice Abdulhamid Yakubu of the Gombe State High Court delivered a verdict on February 12, 2024, that sentenced Isiyaku Dahiru and his company, Zafran and Brothers Investment Limited, to twelve months imprisonment for their involvement in a fraudulent scheme amounting to N3.5 million. The conviction stemmed from charges brought forward by the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), centred on allegations of cheating and fraudulent conversion. The accused were charged with dishonestly obtaining N3.5 million from Usman Ahmad under false pretences, purportedly for the purchase of 700 bags of salt. Upon…
In a proactive move against cybercrime, operatives from the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made a significant breakthrough on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, with the arrest of 14 individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud. The arrests took place at a purported “Yahoo Academy” operating discreetly within a residential area along Achusa Road in Makurdi, Benue State. Acting on actionable intelligence, EFCC operatives raided a three-bedroom apartment believed to be serving as a training centre for potential internet fraudsters. The suspects, identified as Asongu Terungwa, Aese Sonter, Nyoosu Terungwa, John Kator, Udi Micheal Aodona,…
In a significant development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made strides in the trial of Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley, who stands accused of defrauding an American citizen, Nicole Kierulff Sayers, of $370,000 through a contrived marriage. Testifying as the Second Prosecution Witness (PW2), Okanne Kelechi revealed before Justice U.P Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, that the EFCC has successfully recovered $13,204 along with other assets from the defendant. Among the recovered assets detailed by Kelechi were a plot of land in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and…
The Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Rivers Marine Command, Port Harcourt, Bashir Mohammed Lawal, has extended commendations to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its proactive measures in combating economic and financial crimes. Lawal further emphasised the necessity for enhanced collaboration between the two agencies, particularly in information and intelligence sharing. Lawal conveyed his appreciation during a courtesy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the EFCC on Monday, February 12, 2024. As the newly appointed Comptroller of Immigration for Rivers Marine Command, Lawal expressed his eagerness to foster a robust relationship and synergy with…
In a recent development, the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated legal proceedings against Obinna Calistus Okoli, the Chairman of the Onitsha/Odekpe Plastic Market Association. Okoli stands accused before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, for allegedly obtaining funds under false pretences to the tune of N6,700,000. The arraignment, which took place on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, saw Okoli and the Onitsha/Odekpe Plastic Market Association facing a two-count charge related to fraudulent activities involving the aforementioned sum of money. One of the charges reads: “That you, Obinna…
The Department of Development Control under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council has raised concerns over the escalating issue of land grabbing within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), prompting a call for assistance from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The appeal was made during a visit to the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Mukhtar Usman Galadima, the Director of the department, led a delegation of senior officials, highlighting the need for collaboration in addressing the growing menace of land grabbing and unauthorised developments in the region. Galadima stated, “We are here specifically to seek collaboration…