The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has deepened
its probe into All Progressives Congress stalwart, Bola Tinubu.
To this end, the EFCC has written a letter to the Code of
Conduct Bureau, requesting copies of Tinubu’s asset declaration form.
A copy of the letter which was published by an online news
medium, The Peoples Gazette, revealed that
the investigation into Tinubu began last year after the removal of erstwhile
Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.
The letter marked CR/3000/EFCC/LS/Vol4/322, dated November
6, 2020, was signed by the then Lagos zonal head, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who is now
the Chairman of the EFCC.
The letter read in part, “In view of the above, you are
kindly requested to furnish the commission with the outstanding requested
information of Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu.
“This request is made pursuant to Section 38(1) and (2) of
the EFCC Act 2004.”
Attempts to speak with the EFCC Spokesman, Mr. Wilson
Uwujaren, proved abortive as he did not respond to calls.
However, a senior EFCC official confirmed the authenticity
of the letter, adding that it was part of a wider probe.
The official, who wished to remain anonymous, said the probe
was sequel to some petitions written against Tinubu since 2018 which Magu had
failed to act on.
The source said, “The letter is authentic. The EFCC is in
receipt of several petitions against Tinubu including one involving alleged
fraud in Alpha Beta Consulting.”
A former Managing Director of Alpha Beta Consulting, Mr. Dapo Apara, had written petitions to the
EFCC, accusing the firm of tax evasion
and being run by Tinubu albeit by proxy.
In the writ of summons marked LD/7330GCMW/2020, Apara asked
the respondents to appear within 42 days or judgment may be given in their
absence.
Apara had also instituted a lawsuit against Tinubu.
In his statement of claim, he stated that Tinubu controlled
the company which was receiving 10 per cent of the taxes collected on behalf of
the state.
The former MD said as the head of the company, he began
looking into its finances and he made many startling discoveries such as
mysterious transfers of over N20bn to various companies.
He stated, “N550million payment to Ocean Trust Ltd vide
payment instruction dated the 15/5/18 N850million payment to Ocean Trust Ltd
vide payment instruction dated the 14/3/15.”
The claimant said N960 million was spent on purchasing HITV’s 300,000,000 shares.
Apara stated that Tinubu was furious that he was looking
into the company’s finances and this led to his demotion and eventual exit.
However, Alpha Beta Tax consultancy firm, Alpha Beta LLP,
denied allegations levelled against it by Apara, adding that he had diverted
about $5m during his time as managing director by inflating a contract which
was worth about $300,000 and then diverted a separate N6bn to personal use.
The firm said it had reported Apara’s alleged fraud to the
appropriate authorities but he had refused to show up and rather remained in
Dubai.
The firm said Apara’s allegations levelled against Tinubu
were specious and diversionary.
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