NEWS
Tax Evasion, Environmental, Shareholding Infractions Incur Segilola Osun Govt’s Wrath
The Osun State Government has raised concerns about the operations of the Segilola Gold Project, managed by subsidiaries of Thor Explorations Ltd, a UK-based company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
According to Prof. Lukman Jimoda, the Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Mining and Mineral Resources, the state’s investigation revealed various unethical business practices, including alleged tax evasion, use of proxies, and failure to comply with environmental rules and regulations.
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The companies involved — such as SINIC Engineering, ATF Consulting, Monurent Nigeria, and others — are reportedly engaged in outsourcing employment and operations to undisclosed third parties without proper documentation or environmental compliance.
Prof. Jimoda highlighted that the federal constitution places environmental oversight under the concurrent list, allowing the state to assess companies’ operations for economic and environmental impacts.
He emphasized that the Segilola project, despite its significant production since 2019, has resisted complying with extant laws like the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) and the Company Income Tax Act (CITA) which govern tax levies.
He also expressed concerns over pollution, including particulate emissions and possible acid drains from waste rocks, which pose serious environmental risks to the state.
The state government is therefore demanding the payment of accrued taxes and environmental development levies, as well as proper documentation for all involved parties.
The Special Adviser stressed that Osun has not received its due revenue from the Segilola project for over three years, despite its bankable gold production since 2019.
“The government is prepared to take necessary actions to ensure compliance and safeguard the state’s environmental and economic interests”, the Special Adviser noted.
Also speaking, the Financial Consultant to the Office of Mining and Mineral Resources, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro while presenting his report said the allegations against Thor Explorations Ltd and its subsidiaries mark a significant moment for Osun State, as the government seeks to reclaim its financial rights and ensure compliance with tax regulations.
Dr Bolorunduro highlighted the state’s concern over the company’s alleged tax evasion and failure to comply with legal requirements, which could have severe financial implications for Osun.
Dr. Bolorunduro’s detailed statement paints a picture of a company attempting to sidestep its fiscal responsibilities, with far-reaching consequences for the state’s revenue.
“The refusal to remit taxes from both direct employees and service providers, as well as the evasion of other financial obligations, highlights a deeper issue of corporate governance and transparency.
Particularly troubling is the claim that Osun State’s interests in Tropical Mines Ltd were strategically diminished without due financial compensation, raising questions about the fairness of the company’s practices in Nigeria versus its compliance with international standards in the UK and Canada, where it is publicly listed,” Dr. Bolorunduro stated.
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has emphasized the need for due payments to be made, while also ensuring that business operations continue smoothly. This balanced approach underscores the state’s willingness to foster investment, but not at the expense of its fiscal health or integrity.
Responding to the allegations that the Adeleke Dynasty is involved in the management of the Segilola Gold Project, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi denied the report, noting that those holding a stake or the other in the gold firm areas shortchanged the Osun State government.
He therefore assured members of the public that the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke will not relent in efforts to ensure that the state gets its dues from all companies operating in Osun State.
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has taken legal steps against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation and incitement.
Bello, through his lawyer N.A. Abubakar, on Wednesday petitioned the Inspector General of Police, urging the force to invite the senator to present evidence backing the allegations she made against him at a recent event.
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The former governor insists that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely accused him of being involved in an assassination plot during her homecoming ceremony on April 1, 2025, in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The petition described her statements as both “malicious” and harmful, urging the police to prosecute her if she fails to justify her claims.
“Where she fails to do so, cause her to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law for criminal defamation, inciting public disturbance, and spreading false information injurious to public peace,” Bello’s lawyer wrote in the petition.
In addition to involving the police, Bello has also sent a personal demand letter to the senator via another lawyer, R.O. Balogun, asking her to issue a retraction and a public apology or risk facing legal consequences.
Bello’s legal team argues that her allegations violate Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
“By accusing our client of plotting an assassination and naming him as a co-conspirator in a purported murder plot (with an attempt to disguise the killing as mob or ethnic violence), Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan has:
“Gravely damaged our client’s reputation by portraying him as a violent and vengeful political actor and misled the public and tried to incite ethnic and political distrust, especially among clans of Ebiraland in particular and the people of Kogi Central in general.
“Brought his name into disrepute on the basis of an allegation so weighty that, if left unchallenged, could harm his political career and personal safety; and abused her parliamentary status and platform by propagating such falsehoods without evidence, in a very public and politically charged setting,” the solicitor noted.
The Rivers State Government has debunked reports making the rounds on social media, which alleged that the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (Rtd.), had summoned suspended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, to a meeting scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2025.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the administration described the report as entirely false and intended to mislead the public.
The government warned against the spread of fake news, which it said was a calculated attempt to create panic and destabilize the state.
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The statement, signed by Sir Dede Sampson Friday, Permanent Secretary from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), condemned the social media posts, which it labeled as malicious and fraudulent.
“The Rivers State Government has become aware of fraudulent announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government,” the statement noted.
“These malicious fabrications are designed to mislead the public, create panic, and disrupt the peace in Rivers State.”
One of the false messages specifically claimed that Governor Fubara and his deputy had been invited to Government House to answer questions regarding appointments and other matters of state.
Reacting to this, the state government firmly dismissed the announcement as fake and emphasized that no such directive was ever issued.
“The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is fake and did not originate from any official source.
The public is urged to disregard this and any similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilize the state.”
The government further urged citizens to remain cautious and seek information only through verified platforms, highlighting the state’s official website — www.riversstate.gov.ng — as a reliable source for accurate updates.
Following the deadly attack on Otobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has confirmed the arrest of two suspects linked to the killings.
The attack, which took place on Tuesday evening, saw suspected armed herders invade the community, unleashing violence that left at least eleven people dead.
Several houses were set ablaze during the onslaught, forcing many residents to flee to nearby villages.
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Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Governor Alia described the attack as “condemnable” and assured the public that security agencies were working to track down everyone involved.
He also disclosed that three suspected herdsmen had been apprehended in connection with the incident.
“The National Security Advisor has promised to deploy more security operatives to the state following the current wave of attacks in the state, particularly, the incessant attacks on Otukpo,” Alia said.
He further appealed to security personnel to intensify efforts in ensuring the perpetrators are brought to book.
Reacting to the incident, the lawmaker representing Otukpo constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo, confirmed the attack and shared that the assailants stormed the community around 5:30 pm on Tuesday.
Angbo noted that nine bodies were recovered on the night of the attack, while two more were discovered on Wednesday morning.
He also added that several survivors who sustained injuries are currently receiving medical attention in Otukpo.
Meanwhile, security operatives have reportedly been deployed to the area as authorities intensify efforts to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
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