Customs : Businessman docked for importing 1570 pump action rifles

A businessman, Ifeuwa Moses Christ was yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos for unlawfully importing pump action rifles.

According to the Nigerian Customs Service, the defendant allegedly imported 1570 pump action rifles concealed in a container of ceramic wash-hand basins.

Ifeuwa, a resident of 1, Ifeuwa Street, Ogidi, Anambra State, was arraigned alongside one Ayogu Great James, of Plot 291, Dawaki extension, opposite Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja, and Emeka Umeh Festus, also known as Amankwa, who is said to be at large.

Also, charged before the court is an Oil and Gas company, Great James Oil and Gas Limited, located at 1, Warehouse Road, Apapa, Lagos.

Arraigning the accused, the prosecutor, Mr Julius Ajakaiye, informed the court that the accused and others conspired among themselves between September 6 to 20, 2017, to illegally and unlawfully import a total of 1570 pump action rifles into Nigeria, through Apapa Seaport, Lagos.

The prosecutor also told the court that the accused loaded the said 1570 pump action rifles in two 1× 20 feet containers marked GESU 2555208 and CMAU 1878178.

Furthermore, Ajakaiye told the court that the accused and others now at large, in a bid to illegally and unlawfully bring in the weapons, altered and forged a bill of lading, issued in July 28, 2017, to read Guandong, China, instead of Istanbul, Turkey, which was written on the conveying container.

Ajakaiye also told the court that the accused also altered Form M(application for Import) and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), issued on August 28, 2017, with number MF 20170080364 and CN 20170768490/001, respectively, to read Guandong, China instead of Istanbul, Turkey, as a country of origin.

The accused were also alleged to have altered a bill of lading numbered ISB0281398, issued on July 28, 2017, to read 230 packages of wash-hand basin and W/C, as the content in the container used in shipping in the illegal firearms.

All the accused persons were charged before the court on charges bordering on conspiracy, illegal importation of Firearms and forgery and altering of Customs’ import documents.

The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The presiding judge, Justice Saliu Saidu declined to grant the defendants bail and adjourned the matter till November 20 and 21, for commencement of trial.

The defendants were remanded in prison custody. - Daily Post

Tuberculosis: 18 Nigerians die hourly – NTBLCP

No fewer than 18 Nigerians die hourly from Tuberculosis (TB), the National Tuberculosis, Burulli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), said on Friday in Lagos.

Mrs Itohowo Uko, the Deputy Director of NTBLCP in the Federal Ministry of Health, disclosed this at an integrated media parley organised by Breakthrough Action -Nigeria in collaboration with the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN), in Lagos.

Uko, who is also a laboratory scientist, described tuberculosis as an airborne infectious disease caused by the germ, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, which affects the lungs mainly but may affect any other part of the body.

“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2017 global report, TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide and Nigeria is classified among the 14 countries with a high burden of TB.

“It is estimated that two out of every 1,000 Nigerians will have TB; 104,940 TB patients representing about 20 per cent of existing patients were notified to the authorities in 2017.

“This means that there is a huge number of TB patients in communities that are not notified.

“No fewer than 18 Nigerians die every hour of TB and one case of untreated TB can infect between 10 and 15 persons per year.

“Nigeria has the sixth highest burden of TB patients globally and first in Africa; of the 104,904 patients notified in 2017, 63 per cent were aged between 15 and 44; the working age group is the most affected,” she said.

Uko said that the statistics were scary and called on all stakeholders to show concern to ensure a Nigeria-free TB, reduce burden, as well as reach zero TB deaths.

On the dynamics of TB, she said that TB is spread through the air when the person with TB of the lungs coughs, sneezes, sings or talks.

According to her, TB is curable and the patient is not termed as infectious after few weeks of treatment.

“Persistent cough of two weeks or more duration may be due to TB and needs to be further investigated.

“Other signs of TB of the lungs include:

loss of weight when you are not trying to lose weight, drenching night sweats when others close by are not sweating like that and loss of appetite, ” she said.

Uko advised the public to avoid overcrowded and poorly ventilated environments, observe cough hygiene by covering their mouths properly when coughing and sneezing.

She also advised them not to be spitting indiscriminately in public, as well as eating a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition.

She also called for prompt diagnosis of TB in patients and recommended treatment for six months to prevent spreading the germ to others.

“TB is completely curable if detected and treated early; the drugs and diagnostic tests are free of charge in Nigeria.

“The toll-free number to call is 08002255282 if you have any of the above signs or symptoms for further guidance.

“There is the urgent need to increase early TB case finding, notification and treatment,’’ she said.

Uko also urged the media to work with health agencies in the dissemination of health-promoting messages to the public.

In her remarks, Dr Bolatito Aiyenigba, Deputy Director, Malaria and Tuberculosis Project of Breakthrough Action-Nigeria, said the project focused on Integrated Health Social Behaviour Change in the country.

Aiyenigba highlighted maternal, neonatal, child health, as well as nutrition, family planning, malaria and tuberculosis as its areas of focus.

She also said that the project had helped to build media capacity in the reportage of malaria, family planning, nutrition and tuberculosis.

“Health is a general concern and the media has a role to play in educating and informing the public on the need to adopt healthy lifestyles and reduce the high prevalence of diseases in the country,’’ Aiyenigbe said. - PM News

Enemies of Nigerians !!! APC cries out: Obasanjo lobbying US to withdraw Atiku’s visa ban

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo is lobbying US authorities to withdraw the entry ban reportedly placed on Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In 2017, Abubakar said the US declined to grant him a visa after he applied it.

It is said that the US has refused the former vice-president entry into its country because of a scandal.

In 2005, the FBI videotaped William Jefferson, congressman representing Louisiana, receiving $100,000 in a leather briefcase as part payment of a $500,000 bribe allegedly demanded by the then vice-president to influence contracts for American companies.

Obasanjo and Abubakar reconciled their differences on Thursday in Ogun state after the latter paid him a visit.

In a statement on Friday, Yekini Nabena, acting spokesman of APC, said Obasanjo’s intervention is evidence of his “legendary hypocrisy”.

“We have come across credible reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made moves to secure United States entry visa for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alh. Atiku Abubakar, whose candidacy he endorsed on Thursday,” the statement read.

“It is learnt that that the former President who during and after leaving office insisted on Atiku’s unsuitability to govern Nigeria based on his knowledge of the latter’s extensive corrupt practices while he served as vice-president, is lobbying US authorities to withdraw the ban reportedly placed on Atiku from entering the United States following a 2005 $500,000 bribery scandal that involved Atiku, his fourth wife, Jennifer and former United States congressman, William Jefferson.

“Recall that the former president while in office had deployed enormous resources of the country on a global dragnet coordinated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in getting Atiku prosecuted for corrupt enrichment and money laundering.

“A report by the United States senate permanent subcommittee on Investigations, chaired by senator Carl Levin reported that Atiku used offshore companies to siphon millions of dollars to his fourth wife in the United States, Jennifer while still the vice president of Nigeria between 2000 and 2008.

“The report further stated that then president Bush had on the strength of his report, barred Atiku and other corrupt politically exposed persons from being issued visa to the United States, a reason for which he has been unable to travel to the United States till date.” - TheCable

Usain Bolt bangs in two goals on debut for Coastal Mariners

Jamaican multiple Olympic Champion Usain Bolt scored two goals on his debut as a professional player for Australian A-League team Central Coast Mariners.

He scored the two goals in the second half for the club in a friendly.

According to BBC Sports, the Jamaican eight-time Olympic sprint champion scored the Mariners’ third and fourth goals in a 4-0 win over Macarthur South West and celebrated with his trademark lightning bolt pose.

Bolt joined the A-League club in August for an “indefinite training period”.

“My first start and scoring two goals, it’s a good feeling,” Bolt, 32, said.

“I’m happy I could come here and show the world I’m improving. I’m keen to be a Mariner, to play my best and get into the team.”

For his opening goal Bolt ran on to a chipped ball played by Scotland striker Ross McCormack, held off the defender and finished powerfully low past the goalkeeper.

He capitalised on a defensive mix-up for his second, with Macarthur defender and goalkeeper colliding to leave Bolt to tap in from close range.

McCormack, on loan from Aston Villa, headed in the Mariners’ first goal in the eighth minute.

“The best thing about Usain Bolt is he’s so humble,” McCormack said.

“He’s fitted in well with the lads. From my first day even to where he is now, the transformation is huge.”

The 100m and 200m world record holder has previously trained with Borussia Dortmund, South African club Sundowns and Norway’s Stromsgodset.

He retired from athletics in 2017 and has since said it would be a “dream” to play professional football.

The Australian A-League season begins on 19 October and the Mariners are yet to confirm whether Bolt will be offered a contract. - PM News

IN DETAIL: Nigerians now to pay tax on foreign income and assets — or face the law

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday signed an executive order directing Nigerian taxpayers to voluntarily declare and pay tax on their offshore assets.

The new executive order No. 8 is tagged Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularisation Scheme (VOARS) and went into effect same day the president signed it.

It is still being debated if such a major tax reform should come in form of an executive order or a proper law, but government says the scheme was set up to help Nigerians to regularise income made outside the country, regularise their offshore assets and tax status, and also ascertain their outstanding tax liability.

It is similar to the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) backed by an executive order signed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in June 2017—with the offshore assets component marking the only difference between both schemes.

TheCable highlights provisions of the VOARS executive order.

DEFAULTING TAXPAYERS TO BE PROSECUTED

According to the executive order, defaulters who fail to take advantage of the scheme will be investigated, prosecuted and charged to court, accordingly.

Defaulters would be liable to “pay in full, the principal sum due” on all taxable offshore assets after the grace period expires.

As against a 35 per cent one-time levy that complying taxpayers would enjoy, defaulters will be obligated to pay 100 per cent of all interest and penalties arising from the principal sum that has accrued over the 30-year assessment period.

The order says: “Failure of any defaulting taxpayer to truthfully and promptly take advantage of this Scheme shall at the expiration of the Scheme result in… investigation, charges and enforcement procedures concerning offshore assets anywhere in the world pursuant to information now readily available through automatic exchange of information between Nigeria and foreign countries; loss of right to plea bargain; liability to pay in full, the principal sum due; liability to pay 100% of all interest and penalties arising therefrom; liability to be prosecuted in accordance with relevant existent laws for tax offences; withdrawal of any reliefs, which may have been granted to the participant and liability to undergo comprehensive tax audit.”

It also says “any sum paid in relation to the Scheme may be counted as part payment of any further outstanding tax in respect of undisclosed information”.

NO HIDING PLACE FOR TAX DEFAULTERS

Defaulters will be “easily fished out” for assessment, since there is now an automatic exchange of information between Nigeria and foreign countries, according to VOARS.

A number of criteria for participation in the programme were listed.

For example, the defaulter must not be “under investigation by law enforcement agencies in Nigeria or any other country and have not been charged with any crimes including then of public funds or obtaining offshore assets through corrupt practices”.

The defaulter may have ownership of offshore assets but are yet to declare them with the relevant authorities or may earn income on offshore assets but has not yet declared such income to relevant tax authorities.

“The scheme is open to those who are under a process of tax audit or investigation with the relevant Tax Authority, those who are engaged in a tax dispute with the relevant Tax Authority but are prepared to settle the tax dispute out of court, those who have received FGN Special Clearance to access the Scheme, and those who have been determined to be innocent after investigations or legal proceedings,” the order says.

Registered taxpayers who have additional disclosures to make, have not been filing returns, or has been underpaying or under remitting, are also eligible to key into the scheme.

12-MONTH GRACE PERIOD FOR DEFAULTERS

Unlike VAIDS that had a nine-month window for tax defaulters, the new VOARS will provide a 12-month window for individual, entities and intermediaries who are in default of their offshore tax liabilities to get their affairs in order.

The executive order applies to a 30-year assessment period.

“The Scheme shall provide a twelve (12) month period commencing from 2018 for taxpayers who are in default to declare their offshore assets and income from sources outside Nigeria relating to the preceding thirty (30) years of assessment,” the order reads.

35 PERCENT ONE-TIME LEVY

The order highlights how defaulters could successfully regularise their offshore assets, thereby validating the process.

Defaulters have the option to “voluntarily elect to regularise their tax status for all the relevant years by paying a one-time levy of 35% of their offshore assets in lieu of all outstanding taxes, penalties and interest.”

The 35 percent levy will be paid to federal government “in the manner prescribed by regulations governing the Scheme, or for those who choose forensic audit, consent that the assessment of tax payable will be carried out by the relevant Tax Authority.”

DECLARATION THROUGH SWITZERLAND INTERMEDIARY

Another option would be to regularise their tax status by accessing a specific government chosen “disclosure facility” located in Switzerland, in order to obtain an eligibility certificate.

“The disclosure must be made through the Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Facility in Switzerland (VOARFS), the qualified intermediary of FGN rendering services for this purpose,” the order read.

“The disclosure must be made using the disclosure pack provided by the Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Facility in Switzerland (VOARFS) or in any other form or manner as may be prescribed by Regulations governing the Scheme.”

‘IMMUNITY’ FOR FULL COMPLIANCE

According to the new VOARS, any taxpayer that complies with the terms outlined therein would enjoy immunity to prosecution on tax related offences and enjoy waivers on interests and penalties.

“Any taxpayer who truthfully and voluntarily declares his offshore assets and income complies with the regulations and guidelines and either pays a one-time levy of 35% on the total offshore assets or pay: all outstanding taxes, penalties and interest after forensic audit of their offshore assets and income shall obtain…immunity from prosecution for tax offences and offences related to the offshore assets, immunity from tax audit, waiver of interest and penalties, and receive an Offshore Assets Regularization Compliance Certificate,” it says.

FREEDOM TO INVEST REGULARISED ASSETS

As part of the benefits for full compliance to the provisions of the scheme, government has said that participants who have been cleared will have free access to their assets, which can further be invested both in Nigeria and abroad.

According to the order, they will “be free to use or invest their duly regularized residual of their total offshore assets in any manner in Nigeria or overseas, and be subject only to annual tax on the income earned on such assets.”

As a caveat, however, if a court order has been given to a defaulter within the 30-year assessment period—that benefit would not apply.

“Provided however that the above mentioned reliefs are obtained only if the remission or waiver granted under the Regulations governing the Scheme shall not prejudicially affect or invalidate any court order or judgment already obtained in respect of any default in payment of tax for which interest and/or penalty have already accrued,” the order says.

BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE

During the duration of the scheme, no information provided by the defaulter must be made public by the recipients (tax authorities or other government officials). Any breach of confidentiality will lead to prosecution of the guilty party.

“All information provided by the taxpayer under the Scheme shall be treated with utmost confidentiality in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws save where it is stated otherwise,” the order says.

“Any Nigerian official or persons duly authorized to receive information under the Scheme who breaches the confidentiality of information received or exchanged under the Scheme in breach of relevant laws shall be liable to prosecution under extant laws in Nigeria.” - TheCable

Fayose presents handover note to Head of Service

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has presented a handover note to the state’s Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka.

The event took place during the special State Executive Council meeting, at the new Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti on Friday.

Fayose, speaking at the council’s meeting witnessed by some traditional rulers, thanked the people of the state for the opportunity to serve.

He said, “What has a beginning must have an end. It is not the number of years spent but the quantity and quality of achievements.

“I thank the people of the state for their cooperation and urge them to extend same to the incoming administration.

“There should never be a vacuum; our priority must be Ekiti in the discharge of our duties.

“I’m a man who came, saw and conquered. I can’t finish all. I have done my best. History will be kind to me as a man who has given his best to the people.

“I will remember you all for your support. I bear no grudges against anyone.”

Fayose also said he would be available to answer any question on his administration. = Daily Post

Overland aircraft catches fire at Lagos Airport

The damaged Overland aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos

A turboprop aircraft belonging to Overland Airways was on Friday severely damaged by fire while parked at the airline’s hanger at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The ATR aircraft , with registration number: 5N-BPE, was being powered by the Ground Power Unit (GPU) when the incident occurred.

However, there were no casualties as the fire was quickly contained by fire fighters from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Mr Sam Adurogboye, the General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said that the regulatory authority had been notified of the incident and was awaiting the airline’s report.

He, however, added that “it was a minor incident and there were no casualties. We are still waiting for more details from the airline.”

Also, the Spokesperson for the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Mr Tunji Oketunbi, said the bureau’s investigators have been deployed to the scene to ascertain what led to the incident. - PM News

FG seeks IMF’s help to go after oil companies for tax

Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, says that the federal government has asked the International Monetary Fund for help in getting taxes from large oil companies.

Ahmed told journalists on Friday that the federal government’s decision is to curb financial outflows from the sector.

“The G24 meeting was chaired by the vice president of the World Bank representing the president of the World Bank and the CEO of the IMF,” she told journalists on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Bali, Indonesia.

“For us in Nigeria, what we asked was how can they help us in fashioning out instruments that can help us to pursue taxes from very large corporates like international oil companies.

“In Nigeria, our greatest tax potentials are from the IOCs that operate in the oil and gas sector yet this is an industry that from the report of the Thabo Mbeki shows that 70% of the financial outflows from Africa, Nigeria included, is related to the extractive industry.

“So we asked to look at how we can prevent transfer pricing, how we can stop the flows from that sector. Those are the revenues we need to enhance our development”.

The government has tried in recent times made efforts to increase tax compliance, one of such efforts is the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS).

Ahmed said she has held meetings with investors, telling them the Nigerian story.

“If they go to the US, they will be getting returns of about four percent but if they come to Nigeria, they will be getting returns of between 13-14 percent.”

Other meetings attended by the minister included a meeting with Commonwealth ministers on how to better prepare and respond to natural disasters. - TheCable

Police arrest 16 suspected kidnappers who remove victims’ vital organs in Ankpa

The Kogi State Police Command has arrested 16 suspected kidnappers between the ages of 16 to 45 at Ankpawho.

The suspects  where said to be specialized in killing people and removing their vital organs.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the Police Public Relations Officer, Acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, stated this to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

The PPRO identified the suspects as: Yakubu Hamidu (gang leader), Abdullahi Ibrahim, Shaibu Adamu Ubile Attah,Julius Hassan, Shehu Haliru, Abdullahi Tijjani, Sale Adama, Musa Abdullahi, Yakubu Yahaya, Adama Shagari, Isaac Alfa, Baba Isah, Idoko Benjamin, Akwu Audu and Abdullahi Zakari.

He also added that one pump action rifle, two locally fabricated single barrel guns and three short axes were recovered from the suspects.

“One of the suspects, Ubile Attah, masterminded the kidnap and murder of a Police Inspector, Abdul Alfa on Nov. 28, 2017 and snatched his rifle.

“In the course of investigation, it was discovered that this gang from information and intelligence gathered from public spirited individuals and other residents, were responsible for kidnapping, gruesome murder, and ritual killings of innocent people in Kogi State, travellers passing through Kogi State and strangers coming into towns in the area were mostly victims.

“Yakubu Hamidu, gang leader (Vigilante Commander of Ankpa), a native of Ankpa and the vigilante leader in the community along with his vigilante guards are the hit-men responsible for the killings of several victims and removing their organs mostly male and female organs including other body parts such as the head, kidney, and other vital body organs and sell them to personalities within and outside the State for rituals,” Moshood said.

However, Moshood alleged that Hamidu and his members now in custody confessed to the crime and admitted that they were sponsored and working for Abdulahi Ibrahim Ali a.k.a (Halims) and Shaibu Adamu a.k.a AYE-MARINA.

“The suspects further confessed to the killings and removal of body parts of the following victims James M (other names yet to be known), Christopher (other names yet to be known), Mohammed (other names yet to be known), Small Case (Real name unknwon) and Omu (other names yet to be known).

“Investigation is being concluded and efforts intensified to arrest other suspects that included prominent personalities linked to the crime but still at large.

“They will all be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.” - Daily Post