News
FIRS Audit Report Indicts Tunde Fowler… Fails To Collect N41B Taxes From Lagos,Others
The Federal Inland Revenue Service failed to collect taxes worth about N41 billion in Lagos, a government audit report has said.
This is even as it has not been able to meet up with its target over the past four consecutive years, the report added.
The taxes, which are yet to be collected from companies, government agencies, and local government councils, are valued at N40.8 billion.
In the report for the year ended December 2017, the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), Anthony Ayine, said the observation was made during the review of records filed by Companies at Federal Inland Revenue Service Micro and Small Tax Offices (MSTO), Medium Tax Offices (MTO), Large Tax Offices (LTO) and Government Business Tax Offices (GBTO) within the South–west Zone comprising of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, and Oyo states.
He said the uncollected taxes which range from Company Income Tax, Value Added Tax, withholding tax, education tax, to Capital Gains Tax may deny the federal government its legitimate revenue.
“This may negatively affect the implementation of their programs and projects for the benefits of the citizens,” he said.
Breakdown
According to the report, 545 companies had not remitted their Company Income Tax (CIT) to the FIRS valued at a total of N26 billion.
It also said Companies, Federal and State MDAs, Local Government Councils and State Government within the South–west Zone were yet to remit about N8 billion being their Value Added Tax.
Withholding tax from companies, government agencies and local government councils valued at about N5 billion were also yet to be remitted to the FIRS.
About 318 companies were said not to have remitted their Education tax which is 2 per cent on profits of Companies valued at N697 million.
The report also revealed that two companies are yet to remit N99 million, being their Capital Gain Tax of 10 per cent from the disposal of these companies’ assets.
All these unreconciled taxes were said to have been communicated to the FIRS chairman, the report noted.
“This issue was communicated to the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service in my letter reference No. OAuGF/RESAD/FIRS/2017/VOL.II/5 of 1st August 2018 and no response has been received as at the time of forwarding this report.”
The report also said it observed that out of 28,237 duly registered Companies, 11,221 failed to submit their annual returns to various tax offices.
This, it said, is contrary to the provision of Company Income Tax Act which requires a company to render an account of its operations within six months of its accounting year-end.
This number of companies who failed to render its returns represents 39 per cent of duly registered companies with the FIRS.
Leakages
Since 2015, the FIRS under its former chairman, Tunde Fowler, has not been able to meet collection targets, a different trend from the preceding years.
In 2015, FIRS set N4.7 trillion target but was only able to make N3.7 trillion in the actual collection.
In 2016, 2017 and 2018, the target collections were N4.2 trillion, N4.8 trillion and N6.7 trillion but the actual collections were N3.3 trillion, N4 trillion and N5.3 trillion, respectively.
PREMIUM TIMES recently reported how President Muhammadu Buhari queried Mr Fowler, over worsening tax collection since 2015, a prelude to him relieving him of his job weeks later.
In his response to the presidency, Mr Fowler had said FIRS under him performed better regarding specific non-oil tax types, such as VAT and CIT.
He explained that the general lower collection since 2015 is as a result of the falling prices in the oil market.
Credit: Premium Times

News
Journalists Blocked From Covering High-Profile Treason Hearing
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday has barred journalists from covering the bail proceedings of six defendants standing trial for an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, reportedly ordered reporters to leave the courtroom shortly before the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, took her seat.
The order was said to have come from the judge.
At the time of filing this report, the journalists complied and exited the courtroom.
This is coming after heightened public interest in the trial of the six defendants, who were arraigned last Wednesday by the FG over an alleged failed coup.
Those standing trial are Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general; Erasmus Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; and Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa.
Others are Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, Zaria-based Islamic clerics.
News
2027 Elections: Sources Reveal Why Obasa Might Seek House Of Reps Seat
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is reportedly shifting his political focus to a seat in the House of Representatives (Agege Federal Constituency) for the 2027 elections.
Obasa, who had nursed aspirations to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reportedly intensified statewide political consultations through the revival of the Mandate Group, a legacy political structure associated with President Bola Tinubu.
The move, Vanguard gathered, was aimed at consolidating support among both old and new loyalists of the president while positioning himself as a formidable contender for the governorship.
However, sources within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos said Mr Obasa took a decisive turn when President Tinubu, in consultation with the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), settled for Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the preferred governorship candidate.
Following this development, it was gathered that Obasa was said to have redirected his focus to the Lagos West Senatorial District, with plans to challenge the incumbent senator and former deputy governor, Senator Idiat Adebule.
“His interest gained traction amid internal party considerations to field the Speaker as the APC’s senatorial candidate for the district,” APC sources disclosed.
The move, however, met resistance from the APC’s national leadership and its women’s wing, who mounted sustained pressure for Adebule’s retention.
Party stakeholders argued that she remains the only female senator from the South-West geopolitical zone, making her “candidacy critical to gender representation in the National Assembly”.
It was further gathered that in response, President Tinubu was said to have “advised Obasa to pursue a seat in the House of Representatives instead.”
Sources within the APC fold said, “He was specifically directed to contest for the Agege Federal Constituency currently represented by first-term lawmaker Dr Wale Ahmed.”
Sources further hinted that Obasa has since “begun quiet mobilisation efforts within Agege, rallying grassroots support for his new political objective”. This development marks a significant shift, particularly as the Speaker had previously endorsed Mr Egunjobi for the same seat before the latest realignment.”
In addition, multiple sources disclosed that Obasa’s “strategic repositioning” underscores the fluid nature of Lagos APC politics as the 2027 elections approach, with party cohesion and leadership directives continuing to shape the ambitions of key actors.
News
Glo’s New TV Commercials Focus On Power Of Seamless Connection, Infinite Possibilities
Two new TV commercials from Globacom recently released, have focused on the important message of seamless and reliable connection, propping up recent network improvement efforts by the company.
The two commercials, “Road Trip” and “Department of Imagination”, both reinforce the company’s commitment to seamless connectivity for all classes of its customers.
The two commercials, apart from being highly entertaining, also highlight how Glo fits into everyone’s everyday life, while also focusing on a more connected and exciting future for all.
“Road Trip” brings a warm and familiar story to life. It follows a family journey filled with laughter and real-life moments. When Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi struggles with poor signal, the difference becomes clear after switching to Glo. From that moment, everything changes as downloads, navigation, and entertainment become seamless and easy.
At the heart of the Road Trip experience is easy access to data, with the simple message: by dialling *312#, users can easily get a plan and stay connected, keeping everything running smoothly on the go.
The commercial also features Bolaji Ogunmola and other cast members who add energy and humour to the story. As the journey continues, Glo proves to be a reliable partner, keeping everyone connected and entertained along the way.
In contrast, “Department of Imagination” takes viewers into a futuristic world where technology makes life easier and more exciting. Led by Richard Mofe-Damijo as the Professor, the story explores how ideas can grow into powerful experiences.
Experiences in this world feel smarter and more alive, from real time gaming to improved food processes shown by Hilda Baci, along with a creative tech presence brought to life by Bamike Adenibuyan(Bam-Bam). Each scene highlights how Glo is shaping a future where possibilities are endless.
From everyday moments on the road to bold ideas of tomorrow, Globacom continues to deliver strong, reliable service while looking ahead with confidence. The message in the two commercials is clear. The future is already here, and it is Glo.
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