The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has filed an amended four-count charge against Binance Holdings Limited and its executive, Tigran Gambaryan, on alleged tax evasion.

Moses Ideho, the FIRS lawyer, announced the amended charge during a court session on Friday.

Ideho told the court that the FIRS deemed it necessary to amend the charge to properly reflect Nadeem Anjarwalla’s position in the instant charge as being at large.

In March, Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa, escaped from the custody of the office of the national security adviser (ONSA).

“We apply to substitute our charge dated 22nd of March, 2024 with an amended charge dated 17th of May, 2024,” the lawyer said.

“We apply that the charge be read to the 1st and 2nd defendants (Binance and Gambaryan) in order to take their plea.”

However, Chukwuka Ikwuazo, counsel to Gambaryan, opposed Ideho’s application that the fresh charge be read to his clients.

Ikwuazo argued that the charge was served on his client on Friday morning, adding that he needs time to study it and prepare for the defence.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, adjourned the matter until May 22 for arraignment.

Earlier, the judge, in a ruling, ordered the FIRS to serve the charge against Binance through Gambaryan, describing him as the company’s representative.

The defendants are facing four counts bordering on alleged tax evasion in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024.

The offences are said to be punishable under sections 8 and 29 of the VAT Act of 1993 (as amended), section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act of 2007 (as amended), and section 94 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended), respectively.

A former Special Prosecutor, Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Properties, Tosin Ojaomo has petitioned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo over an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the alleged corruption case against the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ahmed Audi.

Ojaomo said it would be in the interest of public safety and to safeguard the investigation process to prevent any possible interference in the investigation, that the immediate suspension of Audi was recommended.

The petition dated May 15, a copy which was made available to DAILY POST was addressed to Tunji-Ojo and also copied to President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi and the Chairman of EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede.

Ojaomo said it was no longer news that the NSCDC has been under the investigative periscope of the EFCC in the past few weeks over allegations of financial mismanagement wherein the anti-graft agency made considerable progress.

He alleged that Audi also has a pending allegation of unexplained property acquisition which was also levelled against him before the Code of Conduct Bureau, CBB.

Ojaomo said the application was brought pursuant to the Provision of Section 8 of the Nigeria – Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, 2003 (As Amended) and Section 11 of the Interpretation Act, 2004 which empowers the minister to recommend the appointment and removal from office of any person appointed by the President to the Office of the Commandant General of the NSCDC.

The petition reads: “We are compelled to make this request as the investigation of the agency cannot be thoroughly and discreetly conducted if the current Commandant General of the NSCDC is allowed to continue in office while the investigation continues because most of the financial activities of the agency which form the subject-matter of the investigation are conducted under the current CG’s watch.

“It will be in the interest of public safety and to safeguard the investigation process to prevent any possible interference in the investigation, that we request the immediate recommendation of the suspension of the current commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to allow an unfeathered investigation into the subject matters of the investigation.

“The revelations that the current Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is directly linked to the investigation wherein a company linked to him known as Keltes Security and Consultancy Limited was alleged to have received some contracts from Tantita Security Limited which is also a company under the agency’s supervision have raised more dust which may request the anti-corruption agencies to require some clarifications directly from him.

“In fact, there is a pending allegation of unexplained property acquisition which was also levelled against him before the Code of Conduct Bureau, CBB.

“In view of these facts it will be in the interest of public safety and to protect the integrity of the office to suspend Dr Abubakar Audi the current Commandant-General of NSCDC so that the EFCC can conduct a thorough and discreet investigation into the matter.”

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has convicted and sentenced a medical doctor and founder of MedContour Services, Anuoluwapo Adepoju, for conducting a failed plastic surgery that resulted in the death of one Nneka Onwuzuligbo in 2020.

Justice Mohammed Liman found her guilty and sentenced her to a one-year jail term.

However, she was given the option of paying a ₦100,000, in lieu of the jail term.

While reacting to the judgement, a former Director-General of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera in a post via his X handle, said he was proud of the development.

He wrote, “Today is a day of pride for me that I personally prosecuted Anu Adepoju and her medical practice.

“Though I’ve left, the case has ended in a conviction, strengthening the accountability framework for all in society, professionals or otherwise.

“This is how society should work and grow

“Anu Adepoju and her medical practice were convicted on all five counts charged by FCCPC.

“The wheel of justice may grind slowly, but we must see it through. Good day for consumers of professional services.”