Court jails Sadiq Mustapha.

The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, October 23, 2023, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Sadiq Mustapha to one year imprisonment.

He was jailed by Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, after pleading guilty to one -count amended charge bordering on cheating to the tune of N3, 900.000.00 (Three Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira only).

The charge reads: “That you Sadiq Mustapha on or about 10th day of August, 2017, at Maiduguri, within the judicial division of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently induce Yawudi Zarma to deliver to you the sum of Three Million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira, N3, 900, 000.00, under the guise that the said amount represent payment for the purchase of a plot of land covered by grant right of occupancy No. BO/2065/16, Plot No. 7 on BOTP/64, Pompomari Industrial Layout, Maiduguri which you claimed to be the owner and thereby committed an Offence Contrary to Section 320 (a) of the Penal Code Law Cap. 102 Laws of Borno State and Punishable under Section 323 of the same Law.”

The defendant pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, A. I Arogha, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

Justice Fadawu thereafter sentenced and convicted him to year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira only).

Mustapha’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested by operatives of the Maiduguri’s Zonal Command of the EFCC for obtaining the sum of N3.9million from a petitioner as a payment for a plot of land. He neither delivered the land to the buyer nor returned his money to him.

Media & Publicity

October 24, 2023

Olukoyede urges EFCC staff to immediately declare their assets in line with civil service regulations and procedures

As a bold move towards accountability and internal cleansing, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has directed staff of the Commission to immediately declare their assets in line with civil service regulations and procedures.

He gave the directive on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission in Abuja while addressing senior staff of the EFCC. Olukoyede stressed that, fighting corruption required those at the vanguard to be above board.

“All of us are going to declare our assets; from level 17, downward. I did mine, so there’s no reason for anyone to be afraid to do same. Even the Commission Secretary did, you all may also have done it in the past, but there’s need for all of us to do it again. We will declare our assets, and we are going to investigate it. We must live above board by setting the pace with good examples. As anti- corruption fighters, our hands must be clean, so we must declare our assets”, he said.

He called on staff of the Commission to pay more premium attention to the basis of fighting economic and financial crimes, pointing out that, such efforts should be geared towards growing the economy of the nation, creating rightful environment for enhanced investment and strengthening the productive base of the economy. “ We must do our job to add values to the nation. Investors must have confidence in the economy and we must help the country to be governed in an accountable and transparent manner. By doing this, it will offer us a new direction to redeem the image of the nation”, he said.

He also charged staff of the Commission to be professional, thorough in their engagements, rich in integrity and be non-partisan. “Please, I beg you, let’s our hands be clean and put our house in order. Some may not like me, but I am going to do the right thing and treat everybody equally irrespective of religion, ethnicity and region”. He assured staff of better welfare package, enhanced training and equal opportunities to ensure higher productivity. He warned “ those compromising their works and positon to desist from such conduct, as dire consequences await every unsavoury tendency”.

The EFCC boss assured the Commission’s staff that adherence to the rule of law would be an article of faith and defining principle of work. “ The EFCC is a creation of the law. We must do our job in line with the dictates of the law. This is a standard international practice and we would ensure that it is our established norm”, he said.

Media & Publicity

October 24, 2023

GOV AKEREDOLU RECEIVES SOUTHWEST GOVERNORS, HARPS ON CONTINUOUS COLLABORATION

Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, CON, on Tuesday, 24th October, 2023, met with Governors from the region to discuss issues of interest.

The Governors present at the meeting were Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Engr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Mr. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti.

Governor Akeredolu, who appreciated the Governors for their solidarity, harped on continuous collaboration among the Southwest States.

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde said the Forum is praying for Governor Akeredolu, adding that he has the support of all the Governors in the region.

The Governors discussed National and other Issues affecting the region and the people.

Richard Olatunde

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.

October 24, 2023.

GOV AKEREDOLU APPROVES 100% HAZARD ALLOWANCE PAYMENT FOR DOCTORS

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, CON, has approved the payment of 100 percent hazard allowance to medical Doctors on the state government payroll.

The payment of the allowance will take effect from 2nd October, 2023

The Chairman of NMA in Ondo state, Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise.

He said this will in no small measure make work interesting for the doctors.

According to him, the state government has again demonstrated that it is committed to the welfare of health personnel in the state.

He also enjoined the Governor to as a matter of urgency direct the speed up of the recruitment process of health workers as promised .

President Tinubu Receives ‘Quick Win Report’ on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday in Abuja received the ‘Quick Win Report’ on fiscal policy and tax reforms from the Committee tasked with improving the nation’s revenue profile and business environment.

Responding to a presentation by Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, the President commended their work and assured them of his support for the review and implementation of key recommendations.

”I have listened attentively to your report. Charting the critical path forward for Nigeria’s economic recovery is crucial to all of us. I want to say thank you to your delegation,” he said.

President Tinubu granted the request of the Committee to address a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and apprise cabinet members of their work and expected outcomes to facilitate economic growth.

The President directed Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, to coordinate with the relevant government officials for the session.

In his remarks, the Acting Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, pledged to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee, as they may apply, pending the approval of the President.

Mr. Adedeji declared that beyond supporting the fiscal and tax reforms, the FIRS will explore opportunities to diversify the nation’s revenue sources, as the historical overreliance on oil has made the economy vulnerable.

”Nigeria’s fiscal policy serves as the foundation of economic stability. It dictates how the government collects, manages and allocates resources for the betterment of our people. A well-developed fiscal policy is crucial for provision of infrastructure, healthcare, education and social services to our growing population. Tax reforms are an integral part of a robust fiscal policy.

”While our current tax system has contributed significantly to our revenue, there remains room for further enhancement; enhancement that can be driven with digital technology. To achieve this, we are collaborating with the Presidential Committee to streamline our tax laws, improve voluntary compliance, and expand the tax base to ensure equity and fairness,” the Acting FIRS Chairman said.

In his prayers to the President, Mr. Oyedele, among others, called for an emergency economic intervention bill (Executive Bill) and the issuance of Presidential Executive Orders to address the duplication of functions across the public service, and to ensure prudent public financial management in a bid to optimize value from government assets and natural resources.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 24, 2023