Ex-FIRS Boss Nami Reportedly Approved N11bn ‘Suspicious’ Payments After His Sack

Ex-FIRS Boss Nami Reportedly Approved N11bn ‘Suspicious’ Payments After His Sack

Written By Oshiobugie Omo-Ikirodah

Recent developments from Nigeria’s revenue service sector have raised eyebrows. According to insider sources from TheCable, Nami, the ex-chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), reportedly sanctioned payments to the tune of N11 billion under suspicious circumstances following his removal from office. CONTINUE READING

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Reports suggest that, during the weekend immediately after his dismissal, Nami allegedly ordered members of the finance, audit, and internal affairs departments to finalize specific financial transactions. There are also claims of the transfer of official files from the FIRS headquarters to Nami’s residence where they were supposedly backdated and endorsed.

TheCable has gathered that a sum of about N5 billion was transferred from the FIRS account to the Joint Tax Board (JTB) under Nami’s directive. Insiders claim that, despite reservations about potential repercussions, the FIRS Director of Finance & Accounts was coerced into approving the transactions. Assurances were reportedly given that the subsequent FIRS chairman would remain unaware of these financial dealings.

Further digging revealed that Nami’s relative, Jibrin Jibrin, currently an assistant manager at the FIRS, has downplayed concerns over the payments. Allegedly, he cited that the requisite protocols had been followed when the acting executive chairman of FIRS previously held a presidential advisory position on revenue. CONTINUE READING

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Shortly after these transactions on September 16, Nami reportedly left the country.

Documents obtained by TheCable detail a plethora of approvals, with vast sums disbursed in a single day to numerous beneficiaries. These include a retreat planned for November 2023, FIRS Data Mining Management and Analytics courses, and a series of international trips to countries like Rwanda, Kenya, and Morocco.

Additionally, payments extending over a billion Naira were authorized for various staff training programs and a sizable chunk was allocated to consulting firms for services ranging from tax evasion strategies to civil society organization engagements.

The events, as described, raise significant concerns about accountability and transparency within Nigeria’s revenue service sector. With such significant amounts in question, the saga demands thorough scrutiny and investigation.

Source: Bushradiogist