N2.1bn fraud: Appeal Court frees Dokpesi, firm – Newstrends
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N2.1bn fraud: Appeal Court frees Dokpesi, firm

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The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Thursday absorbed founder of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, of the N2.1 billion fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

A three-man panel of the court in a unanimous judgment freed Dokpesi from the charges after it held that the prosecution failed to establish the ingredients of the charge.

The EFCC had in 2015 dragged Dokpesi to court accusing him and his company of illegally receiving funds considered as proceeds of crime from a former National Security Adviser to the President, Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and went further to file a no-case submission after the prosecution closed its case in November 2018 with 14 witnesses.

However, Justice John Tsoho rejected the no-case submission and ordered Dokpesi and his firm to enter defence.

Not satisfied, the defendants then approached the Court of Appeal, with a request to nullify the decision and free him from the charges on the grounds that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against them.

In the unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Elfreda Williams-Dawodu, the appellate court agreed with the appellants that the case of the respondents lacked merit having “failed woefully to establish a prima facie case against the appellant”.

The court held that EFCC failed to prove that the N2.1 billion allegedly received by the appellant was proceed of breach of trust and accordingly set aside the decision of the lower court which held that the appellants had a case to answer.

The judge said, “No case was made against the appellant in counts 1, 2, 3 and 4 to warrant his being called upon to open his defence.

“There is no possibility that the appellant can be convicted because the evidence are manifestly unreliable.

“I am of the view that irrespective of the ingredients stated earlier, and those by the appellant and first respondent respectively, prior proof or establishment of the predicate offences in count 1,2,3 and 4 of the amended charge is sine qua non to the proof of the offences of money laundering specified in the said counts.

“In totality, this appeal has merit, it is allowed and the ruling of the Federal High Court is hereby set aside and the appellant is discharged.”

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Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit

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November 28, 2024

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France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) and first lady Brigitte Macron (2ndL) welcome their Nigerian counterpart Bola Tinubu (2ndR) and Oluremi Tinubu

Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday began a two-day visit to France, with both countries seeking increased economic cooperation and Paris looking to boost ties in English-speaking Africa following a series of setbacks with former allies on the continent.

French President Emmanuel Macron met his counterpart at the historic Invalides Memorial Complex, with the first official state visit by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades.

The two national anthems sang out in the courtyard of one of Paris’ landmarks, kicking off a visit focused on encouraging economic partnerships between France and Africa’s most populous country.

Macron has sought a “renewal” between Paris and Africa since his 2017 election and after military coups and changing attitudes lessened France’s influence in Africa.

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The visit is “an opportunity to deepen the already dynamic relationship between France and Nigeria”, Macron’s office said.

Nigeria is Africa’s leading oil producer and has a robust film and entertainment industry.

However challenges posed by insecurity and corruption have left 129 million Nigerians — more than half the country’s population — living below the poverty line.

Nigeria is seeking to build ties in “agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, innovation and energy transition,” Tinubu’s office said in a statement, adding that the president had landed in Paris on Wednesday evening.

Tinubu and Macron will also address “shared values concerning finance, solid minerals, trade and investment, and communication,” it added.

Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit

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Senate passes tax reform bills for second reading

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November 28, 2024

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Senate plenary

Senate passes tax reform bills for second reading

The Senate has passed, for second reading, the four tax reform bills that were forwarded to it for consideration for consideration.

After scaling Second Reading during plenary on Thursday, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio referred the four bills to the Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East led Committee on Finance to carry out other legislative action and report back in six weeks.

Prior to debate on the bills, the Senators had gone into a closed door session from 11.55am to 12.42pm.

The resolution of the Senate was sequel to presentation of the lead debate on the general principles of the bills by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central.

In his presentation, Bamidele said that they are “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombud, for the harmonization, coordination and settlement of disputes arising from revenue administration in Nigeria and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 583).

“A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, No.13, 2007 and enact the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act to Establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, charged with powers of assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruable to the Government of the Federation, and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 584)

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“A Bill for an Act to Provide for the assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruing to the Federation, Federal, States and Local Governments; prescribe the powers and functions of tax authorities, and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 585) –

“A Bill for an Act to Repeal certain Acts on taxation and consolidate the legal frameworks relating to taxation and enact the Nigeria Tax Act to provide for taxation of income, transactions and instruments, and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 586).

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Akpabio said that during the public hearing, experts will be invited as well as Governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, just as he said that at the end of the day, the Senate will give to Nigerians and the country what is good.

The bills

Recall that on September 3, President Tinubu transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.

The bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.

Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.

Also recall that the same day, both the Senate and the House of Representatives embarked on the hurried recess, the National Economic Council, NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, resolved that the tax reform bills should be withdrawn from the National Assembly by President Tinubu for wider consultation.

But President Tinubu, on Thursday, October 31, responded to the request that the bills should be allowed to pass through the required legislative processes at both chambers which, according to him, will give concerned Nigerians the opportunity to get details on the bills and make their inputs, particularly at the stage of Public hearing.

 

Senate passes tax reform bills for second reading

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Senate breaks into rowdy session over Tax Reform Bill

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10 hours ago

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November 28, 2024

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Senate breaks into rowdy session over Tax Reform Bill

The Senate’s plenary today was marked by a shouting match over the controversial Tax Reform Bill, which came up, unexpectedly, for debate despite not being listed as an item for the day’s business.

Recall the Tax Reform Bill, introduced by President Bola Tinubu, seeks to overhaul Nigeria’s tax framework.

While it is deemed a priority for national economic stability, it has faced resistance from various stakeholders, including state governors and the National Economic Council, over its implications.

The Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, representing Kano North, presided over the plenary which got disrupted after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, invoked Order 12(1) of the Senate Standing Rules.

Bamidele proposed inviting experts, including the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Tanimu Yakubu, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, to address the Chamber on the Tax Reform Bill.

After the Senate had considered and passed two bills for second reading and referred them to relevant committees, Bamidele raised the motion to bring the tax experts into the Chamber.

Barau seconded the motion and directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to allow the visitors in.

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However, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, strongly opposed the move, citing Senate Rules that forbid visitors from addressing the Chamber on matters not included in the Order Paper.

Ndume argued that the Tax Reform Bill was too significant to be treated without following proper legislative procedure, stating:

“This is a very important matter. We must follow known procedures. If this issue is to be addressed today, there must be a supplementary Order Paper to reflect it. Nigerians are watching, and this issue cannot be rushed.

“Mr. President, you can have your way, but I will have my say. Tax Reform is sensitive, and our people are deeply affected by this matter. We must represent the interest of Nigerians as we swore to do,” he said.

Barau responded, defending the decision to allow the experts into the Chamber. He dismissed Ndume’s objections, stating:

“The Chamber has no time for rhetorics. We are here for facts.”

This comment further inflamed the situation, leading to a rowdy session as Ndume accused Barau of dismissing his concerns due to his position.

“Is it because you are sitting there that you are saying a Senator is speaking rhetorics? You can rule me out of order, but I will speak for Nigerians,” Ndume retorted.

Eventually, Ndume was ruled out of order, and the visitors were permitted to address the Chamber on the proposed Tax Reform Bill.

 

Senate breaks into rowdy session over Tax Reform Bill

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