NEWS
EFCC Reacts To Sowore, Co-Travellers’ Tantrums On Landmark Recovery
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has taken exception to unsavoury assertions by certain prejudiced individuals over the landmark recovery of 753 duplexes.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by its Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
While welcoming the thoughts of well meaning Nigerians on the matter, the anti graft agency made it clear that “the denigration of such efforts by Omowole Sowore and his think-same and act-same, is unacceptable and grossly un-charitable.”
ALSO READ:EFCC Makes Single Largest Asset Recovery Till Date
Oyewale stated, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is following with keen interest, the flurry of reactions to its record-breaking recovery of 753 duplexes and other apartments on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
“The commentaries of reform-minded Nigerians to the Commission’s painstaking efforts in securing the final forfeiture of the Estate to the Federal Government of Nigeria, are appreciated. However, the denigration of such efforts by Omowole Sowore and his think-same and act-same, is unacceptable and grossly un-charitable.
“The allegation of a cover up of the identity of the promoters of the Estate stands logic on the head in the sense that the proceedings for the forfeiture of the Estate were in line with Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act which is a civil proceeding that allows for action-in-rem rather than action-in-personam. The latter allows legal actions against a property and not an individual, especially in a situation of an unclaimed property. This Act allows you to take up a forfeiture proceeding against a chattel that is not a juristic person. This is exactly what the Commission did in respect of the Estate.
“The proceedings that yielded the final forfeiture of the Estate were products of actionable intelligence available to the Commission. The company flagged by our investigations denied ownership of the Estate following publications made in leading national newspapers. On the basis of this, the Commission approached the court for an order of final forfeiture which Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court granted on Monday, December 2, 2024.
“The expectation of the EFCC from citizen Sowore is a patriotic appreciation of its efforts in securing such a landmark forfeiture. It is shocking that the activist is not concerned about the systemic lassitude and unhelpful permissiveness that allowed such a monstrous corrupt act in the first instance. Nigerians should gear up more against lapses and loopholes in our system that continue to make the nation vulnerable to corrupt tendencies. The EFCC will continue to safeguard the financial space of the nation against manipulators and organised brigandage.
“It is important to note that the substantive criminal investigation on the matter still continues. It will be unprofessional of the EFCC to go to town by mentioning names of individuals whose identities were not directly linked to any title document of the properties. The EFCC is unwavering in its no-sacred-cow approach to every matter and together we will make Nigeria greater.”
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to allocate ₦100 million to Nigeria’s Tobacco Control Fund, enhancing its capacity to enforce the National Tobacco Control Act.
During Wednesday’s plenary, Bassey Akiba, representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, emphasised the need for increased funding.
He highlighted that the current allocation of ₦10 million in the 2024 budget falls short of what is required to combat tobacco-related health issues effectively.
READ MORE: Martial Law: South Korea Opposition Files Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon
“Tobacco control is crucial due to its impact on preventable deaths, including cancer,” Akiba stated. He warned that inadequate funding could worsen health risks, noting tobacco consumption’s link to cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and cancer.
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Health to provide a detailed report on the Tobacco Control Fund, including its balance, funding sources, and previous expenditures.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas backed the motion, stressing the importance of sustainable funding to reduce dependence on international donors.
The House resolved to advocate for a ₦100 million allocation in the 2025 budget to bolster the fund’s effectiveness.
At the eighth Nigeria Family Planning Conference held in Abuja, medical experts stressed the urgent need to address high fertility rates and low family planning uptake to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
The event, themed “Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning within the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” was organised by the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Dr Ejike Oji, Chairman of the AAFP Management Committee, underscored the transformative potential of family planning as a tool for sustainable development. He highlighted its multifaceted benefits, including saving lives, promoting gender equity, and fostering economic growth. According to Oji, “$1 invested in contraceptive services saves $3 in maternal and newborn health costs by reducing unintended pregnancies.”
READ MORE: Martial Law: South Korea Opposition Files Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon
Despite some progress, Nigeria’s Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) remains at 15 per cent, with an unmet need of 21 per cent. Dr Oji called for increased collaboration and innovation to meet the FP2030 targets.
Funmilola OlaOlorun, Co-Principal Investigator at Performance Monitoring for Action/Nigeria, emphasised the need for strict adherence to the national family planning blueprint to achieve a two per cent annual CPR increase. “We cannot do business as usual,” she stated, urging for more funding, dedication, and resource mobilisation.
Samuel Oyeniyi, Director at the Reproductive Health Department, acknowledged the slow but steady progress towards FP2030. He emphasised the importance of integrating family planning into broader health initiatives to bridge existing gaps.
The conference highlighted Nigeria’s renewed commitment, including a $4 million government investment in family planning and the integration of family planning services into the healthcare provision fund, ensuring access for marginalised groups.
In a significant boost to Nigeria’s economy, major global tech companies, including Google, Meta, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Microsoft, have contributed a combined N2.55 trillion ($1.5 billion) in taxes to the Nigerian government during the first half of 2024.
The news, revealed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Wednesday, highlights the positive impact of foreign digital companies adhering to tax regulations in Nigeria.
READ MORE: Chile’s President Set To Welcome First Child With Partner
Data from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that these tech giants, including interactive computer service platforms and internet intermediaries, have contributed substantially to government revenue by adhering to Nigeria’s tax regulations.
“This significant increase in revenue underscores the role of regulatory frameworks in shaping compliance and driving revenue growth in the digital economy,” said Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Head of Public Affairs, in a statement.
Beyond financial contributions, the report also highlighted the actions taken by social media platforms to enforce their policies in Nigeria.
In 2023, platforms deactivated 12.1 million Nigerian accounts for various violations, while 65.8 million pieces of Nigerian content were removed for breaching platform guidelines.
Additionally, 4.126 million complaints from Nigerian users were filed, and 379,433 pieces of content were reinstated after appeals.
NITDA also lauded Google, X, Microsoft, and TikTok for their adherence to the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, a set of guidelines developed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and NITDA. The Code aims to enhance online safety and manage harmful content.
“The Code of Practice outlines clear guidelines for promoting online safety and managing harmful content,” NITDA’s statement read.
While acknowledging the progress made by these platforms in ensuring user safety, NITDA stressed the importance of continued collaboration and innovation.
“We remain committed to working with stakeholders to strengthen and enhance user safety measures, digital literacy, trust, and transparency,” the agency concluded.
Reps Demand N100m Boost For Tobacco Control Fund
Senate Suspends Tax Reform Bills Amid Public Backlash
Experts Urge Action To Boost Family Planning For FP2030 Targets
NITDA Reports N2.55trn Tax Payment From Google, Meta, X, Others In H1 2024
Martial Law: South Korea Opposition Files Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon
No Forced Retirements – CBN Clarifies Early Exit Package For Employees
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
