VAT: Wike threatens to take over Rivers FIRS offices – Newstrends
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VAT: Wike threatens to take over Rivers FIRS offices

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has threatened to take over all offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service in the state should the agency continue with its “bullying”.

The governor, who spoke on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, also said from this September, the state government would start collecting its VAT.

Wike warned oil companies and business owners against remitting their VAT to the FIRS but the Rivers State Government.

The governor told the oil firms, construction companies and other business owners operating in the state to start remitting their VAT to the state government with effect from this September.

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt in its judgment last month in a suit marked FHC/PH/CS/149/2020 held that the Rivers State Government had the powers to collect VAT within its territory.

The FIRS, on Monday, asked the court to stay the execution on the judgment.

But the presiding judge, Justice Stephem Pam, rejected the application, saying granting it would negate the principle of equity.

On Monday, the Lagos State Government also revealed a similar move as a bill to empower it to collect VAT scaled second reading in the state House of Assembly.

Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting which was showed live on Channels TV and two other stations, Wike said there was injustice in allocation of the VAT procceds.

According to him, Rivers generated N15bn in June 2021 but got N4.7bn while “Kano produced N2.8bn in June but got N2.8bn.

The governor said he could not continue to beg the Federal Government for what belongs to his state.

“I overhead the FIRS chairman saying that he will show me the powers of the Federal Government that the Federal Government will muzzle the judiciary. It is not my business. The court has decided,” Wike said.

 

“They should mind the state they are bullying. The FIRS should be very careful. You don’t bully a state like us. I have the political will to do a lot of things. I am not one of those governors that will shy away. If they continue to bully us, all their offices in the state, I will take,” he said.

 

 

 

 

Business

Naira rises to N1,618/$ in parallel market

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Naira rises to N1,618/$ in parallel market

The naira yesterday appreciated to N1, 618 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,620 per dollar on Monday.

But, the Naira depreciated to N1,604 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

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Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,604 per dollar from N1,599 per dollar on Monday, indicating N5 depreciation for the naira.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate narrowed to N14 per dollar from N21 Monday.

Naira rises to N1,618/$ in parallel market

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Lasaco Assurance Plc attains ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification for Information Security Management

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Lasaco Assurance Plc

Lasaco Assurance Plc attains ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification for Information Security Management

Lasaco Assurance Plc, one of the leading insurance companies in Nigeria, is pleased to announce that it has successfully obtained the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, a globally recognized benchmark for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).

This certification comes after a thorough and detailed re-certification audit, validating its commitment to upholding the highest standards in information security and cybersecurity.

The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification highlights Lasaco’s ongoing efforts to protect confidential information, manage risks, and enhance its approach to information security, aligning with global best practices.

Speaking on this new development, the Managing Director, Lasaco Assurance Plc, Mr. Razzaq Abiodun, said, “We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which demonstrates our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence and continuous improvement.

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“In today’s digital age, ensuring the safety and security of sensitive information is of paramount importance, and this certification reaffirms our commitment to being a trusted and responsible organization.”

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 offers a structured framework for managing and securing critical business information, ensuring that all aspects of the organization’s information security are addressed through proactive risk management. This certification affirms Lasaco Assurance’s robust commitment to safeguarding sensitive data against emerging cyber threats.

“Moving forward, we remain dedicated to ensuring the highest level of information security, compliance, and excellence in all our operations,” the Head of IT, Lasaco Assurance, Mr. Dimeji Ogundele said.

The company extends its deepest gratitude to its entire team, clients, and partners whose support was pivotal to achieving this certification. Lasaco Assurance Plc is a composite insurance company, providing a wide range of insurance solutions.

With a rich history of trust, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Lasaco continues to deliver reliable and cutting-edge services to individuals, businesses, and government institutions.

Lasaco Assurance Plc attains ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification for Information Security Management

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5 facts about trending digital trading platform, CBEX

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5 facts about trending digital trading platform, CBEX

Investors have been left counting their losses after digital trading platform, China Beijing Equity Exchange (CBEX) crashed on Monday, April 14.

Many distraught investors took to social media, especially X and TikTok, to bemoan their losses, which was estimated at N1.3 trillion.

Following reports of the platform’s crash, some investors on Tuesday broke into CBEX’s office in Oke Ado area of Ibadan, Oyo State and looted furniture, electronics and other valuables.

Facts about CBEX and its operations:

1. CBEX is a digital trading platform that promised investors 100% profit within 30 days, by trading digital assets. Its purported goal was to create a secure, transparent environment for transactions.

2. CBEX reportedly attracted around 300,000 users, majority of whom are Nigerians, despite not being registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), making its operations illegal under the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2025. CBEX’s CEO, Yahaya Ibrahim claimed the platform was a registered Canadian crypto exchange, but no evidence supported this, and operations were primarily Nigerian-focused.

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3. Around April 9, investors reportedly faced withdrawal failures as funds in their wallets vanished. CBEX attributed the withdrawal issues to a “security breach” and demanded additional deposits for “verification”. The verification options included $200 fee for $2,000 wallet balance and $100 for $1,000 wallet balance.

4. The crash reportedly affected over 300,000 users, with estimated losses exceeding $840 million (N1.3 trillion), devastating investors, some of whom lost life savings or loans. Cryptocurrency expert and security analyst, Taiwo Owolabi said available data indicated that the funds were moved to a TRX address: (TDqSquXBgUCLYvYC4XZgrprLK589dkhSCf). He noted that a total volume stolen so far in USDT is $847 million and likely to increase.

5. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has continued to warn the public against investing in unregistered platforms like CBEX, citing risks of fraud and lack of investor protection. Prior to CBEX’s crash, SEC stated that ISA 2025 signed by President Bola Tinubu makes it an offence for any entity to operate an online forex trading platform or provide related services without prior registration with the commission.

“By virtue of this Act, it is an offence in Nigeria for any entity that is not registered by the commission to carry out the business of online foreign exchange trading platforms or related services.

“Any business entity with the plan of setting up a business in any of these areas is advised to visit the HOD DRM Department of the commission for further direction on how to register with the commission to avoid sanctions,” SEC said.

5 facts about trending digital trading platform, CBEX

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