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Reps Grill NIS Over Stamp Duty, Financial Errors

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The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, grilled the Nigerian Immigration Service, urging the Service to recover the N15 million stamp duty paid to Julius Berger and remit it to the Federal Inland Revenue Service within seven days.

The committee also instructed the service to provide evidence of the remittance.

The committee, chaired by the member representing Ede South/Ede North/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency, Osun State, Bamidele Salam, took action following the failure of NIS to appear before the committee to answer queries arising from audit queries contained in 2020, 2021 reports, utilisation of Service-wide vote and operating surplus.

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At the hearing on Tuesday, Salam stated that the Fiscal Responsibility Commission informed the Committee that NIS failed to submit its audited accounts from 2014 to 2023.

READ ALSO: [BREAKING] FULL LIST: Reps Committee Proposes 31 New States

Consequently, the commission was unable to determine the service’s liability regarding the remittance of operating surplus.

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The lawmaker, “NIS’s failure to submit its accounts for this period violated both financial regulations and the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

“The Committee also observed that NIS awarded a contract valued at N2.01bn to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited for the furnishing of the NIS Technology Building, located at its headquarters in Abuja.

“This contract was awarded above the service’s approved threshold without obtaining the necessary approvals from the Federal Executive Council and the Parastatal Tender Board.

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READ ALSO: Uproar As Reps Uncover Federal Poly With Only 142 Students, 154 Staff, School Spends N600m On Personnel

“The document received by the Committee revealed that the NIS received a total of N6.1bn from the federal government, consisting of N2bn for capital expenditure and N4.1bn for recurrent expenditure between 2021-2023.”

The committee’s investigation also revealed that a payment of N1.7bn was made to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited for the furnishing of the technology building, but the required stamp duty was not deducted from the payment.

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The Controller General of Immigration, Mr Kemi Nandap, was represented by Deputy Controller General, Mrs Ada James at the hearing.

Clarifying some of the issues, Mrs James stated that the N4.1bn was transferred into the service’s account on December 30, 2022, and was subsequently mopped on December 31, 2022, adding that the sum of N2bn was used to settle outstanding debts with domestic contractors.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Reps Confirm Oluyede As Chief Of Army Staff

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She also admitted that NIS had failed to deduct the stamp duty on the N1.7bn payment made to Julius Berger.

The Public Accounts Committee also gave the NIS seven days to submit proof of the rendition of its audited accounts from 2014 to 2023.

It also directed the Service to provide proof of the Federal Executive Council’s approval for the over N2bn contract awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited.

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Salam further reminded the Service that it is required in law to submit a response to the eight queries raised by the Auditor General for the Federation in 2020 and 2021 concerning financial infractions totalling N19.2bn.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

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Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

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I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

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