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UNILAG crisis festers as panel uncovers N3bn tax fraud, contract splitting
The General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.)-led Presidential Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos said two states of the federation, Lagos and Ogun, lost the sum of N2.9bn as a result of gross under deduction of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) from staff salaries in five years by the institution.
The panel stated this in its report to the federal government at the end of its assignment which focused on the administration of UNILAG between 2016 and 2020.
The panel also said the university stinks of corruption even as it detected cases of contract splitting and frivolous contract awards at the institution.
The university is yet to react to the allegations contained in the panel’s report.
The seven-member panel was constituted on 29th March 2021 with the mandate to look into the affairs of UNILAG between 2016 and 2020.
Daily Trust reports that the management was at loggerheads with the immediate past Governing Council led by Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN, which culminated in the removal of Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor in August 2020.
Although the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has since been reinstated by the federal government, the Agwai panel in its report said “There are cases where the principal officers exceed approval limits by approving related and similar expenses that ordinarily should be a single piece of procurement.
“This could be interpreted as splitting of contracts or services for it to be within the limit of an officer and avoid rules governing big tender, breach of the Procurement and Fiscal Responsibilities Acts.”
The Presidential Visitation Panel which was constituted on 29th March 2021 which reported tax fraud in the book of the University said it was not only Lagos and Ogun that suffered from the alleged sharp practices of the university administration as junior staff were also made to bear the tax brunt while those at the top cadres benefitted.
According to the report of the panel, “Statutory deductions of personal income tax (PAYE) were not accurately computed in the University’s staff payroll. A 5% flat rate was applied. This resulted in a heavy tax burden for the lower-income earners that are required to pay 1% of their gross salary where annual taxable income is less than 300,000. And conversely, benefited the higher and average income earners.
The panel also made reference to the frosty relationship between management under Ogundipe and the immediate past governing council led by Babalakin.
The panel observed that Babalakin who submitted a memorandum and also appeared before it was able to convince members that the removal of Ogundipe by his Council followed due process and that the Vice-Chancellor was given sufficient opportunity to defend allegations of financial misdeeds levelled against him and his management team.
It said the Council was divided along internal members from the university who backed the vice-chancellor and external members appointed by the federal government who were predominantly pro-Babalakin.
On the process for the vice chancellor’s removal which the Federal Ministry of Education faulted as being flawed and upon which Ogundipe was reinstated, the panel agreed with the Council, saying it was in order.
The panel said from the memorandum submitted by Babalakin and the argument he put forward during his appearance before it, due process was observed.
Daily Trust
News
Osun governor introduces choice first lady amid controversy over who will receive Remi Tinubu
Osun governor introduces choice first lady amid controversy over who will receive Remi Tinubu
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has informed the people of the state that his wife, Titilayo is the First Lady of the state that will receive visiting Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. While asking residents to give Tinubu a rousing reception as she visits today (Tuesday), Adeleke said the state government was set to receive Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and her team in Osun.
“I am elated to host our dear First Lady and my old colleague at the Senate. Our people must troop out to welcome her,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by Olawale Rasheed, his spokesman
The governor went on to explain that the First Lady deserved a rousing welcome for endorsing Osun as the location for the Alternative High School For Girls.
During the visit, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu will turn the sod of the construction of the Alternative High School For Girls.
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The school is located at Oke D.O, Ilesha Road in Osogbo.
Adeleke had earlier in another statement said there would be no confusion as to who will receive Tinubu. A statement said the attention of the Governor had been drawn to “fake news in circulation about conflict over who among the Governor’s two wives is to host the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her official visit to the State tomorrow.
“For clarification, Chief (Mrs) Titilola Adeleke, the First Lady of Osun State, is officially hosting the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria tomorrow in line with the directive of Mr Governor. There is no confusion on this official position.
“The flier circulating purportedly from the Office of Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, the wife of the State Governor, is fake news and the person behind it was nabbed and questioned last night.
“The said flier was never authorized by Erelu Ngozi Adeleke. The material was manufactured and shared by elements who wanted to sow discord and create an atmosphere of confusion.
Osun governor introduces choice first lady amid controversy over who will receive Remi Tinubu
News
Tinubu jets out today to Netherlands, Saudi Arabia
Tinubu jets out today to Netherlands, Saudi Arabia
President Bola Tinubu will today (Tuesday) April 23, 2024 leave Abuja for the Netherlands on an official visit.
The President will also attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting scheduled for April 28-29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement on Monday, said, “On the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, President Tinubu will engage in high-level discussions with the Prime Minister, as well as hold separate meetings with His Royal Majesty, King Willem-Alexander, and Queen Maxima of the Kingdom.
“The Queen is the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA).
“While in the Netherlands, the President will participate in the Nigerian-Dutch Business and Investment Forum that will bring together heads of conglomerates and organizations in both countries to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnerships, especially in agriculture and water management towards innovative solutions for sustainable farming practices.
“There will also be extensive discussions with the Dutch officials on port management operations for which they have world-renowned expertise.
“After his engagements in the Netherlands, the President will proceed to attend a special World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting scheduled for April 28-29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“At the World Economic Forum meeting, which focuses on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development, President Tinubu and his entourage will use the opportunity of the gathering of over 1,000 leaders from business, government, and academia to engage in discussions in furtherance of his Renewed Hope Agenda for the country.”
News
FG begins disbursement of N200bn intervention fund to MSMEs, manufacturers
FG begins disbursement of N200bn intervention fund to MSMEs, manufacturers
The Federal Government said it will soon commence the loan disbursement process for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and manufacturing sectors under the Presidential N200 billion Intervention Fund scheme.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu launched the scheme on October 17, 2023, to cushion the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy and other economic shocks.
Announcing the disbursement of the funds, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, in a statement yesterday, noted that the decision was taken following the success of the ongoing disbursements targeted at supporting one million nano businesses across the country.
According to her, N75 billion each has been allocated to support MSMEs and the manufacturing sector under the Presidential Intervention Fund. This is in addition to the N50 billion set aside to support the nano businesses.
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Uzoka-Anite stated: “The Federal Government of Nigeria is proud to announce the operational launch of the MSME and Manufacturing segment under the prestigious Presidential N200 Billion Intervention Fund.
“With applications for the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme now closed, we are excited to move forward with the loan disbursement process for the MSME and manufacturing sectors, aimed at boosting economic growth and industrial development.
“This fund is strategically divided, dedicating N75 billion to MSMEs and another N75 billion to the manufacturing sector.
“We are pleased to report that the initial disbursement to nano businesses has been met with success, and we are well on our way to supporting one million nano businesses throughout the country.
“Thousands of beneficiaries have already confirmed receipt with many more to come.
“We invite eligible enterprises to join this transformative initiative. To apply, please visit our official application portal at www.fedgrantandloan.gov.ng.
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