News
₦1.1bn Kogi Commission Payment Lawful, Witness Tells Court
By Comfort Olayinka
A prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, that a tax consultant engaged by the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) acted within Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations in withdrawing over ₦952 million paid as commission.
Testifying in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and two others over alleged corruption, Mr David Ajoda, a Compliance Officer with Sterling Bank, disclosed that KSIRS paid a total sum of ₦1,164,929,569 to the tax consultant between January and August 2019.
Ajoda said that within the same eight-month period, ₦952.4 million was withdrawn from the consultant’s Sterling Bank account, leaving a balance of ₦212,525,569. According to him, the withdrawals were carried out in multiple tranches by one Phillip Unar and followed a consistent pattern.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Professor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the witness tendered the consultant’s bank account records, which were admitted by the court. He noted that prior to the consultancy engagement, the account balance stood at just over ₦2 million, adding that inflows rose sharply once the tax consultancy arrangement commenced.
However, Ajoda admitted that he had no knowledge of the specific terms or scope of the tax consultancy agreement between KSIRS and the consultant.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), the witness confirmed that the name “Kogi State Government” did not appear in the bank transactions and that the account belonged solely to the consultant, who was legally entitled to make withdrawals in line with existing laws.
He further told the court that CBN regulations permit maximum cash withdrawals of ₦5 million per transaction for individuals and ₦10 million for corporate entities, stressing that the consultant’s withdrawals did not breach these limits. Consequently, he said, no suspicious transaction report was filed against the account.
Ajoda also confirmed that neither Yahaya Bello nor his co-defendants—Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—featured as beneficiaries of any withdrawals from the account. He added that KSIRS is a distinct entity from the Kogi State Government.
Justice Maryann Anenih subsequently adjourned further hearing in the matter to February 10.
News
FG Commits To National Development With Major Contract Agreements — Umahi
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has again signed landmark contract agreements with four (4) construction firms to execute critical road projects across the country, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The contract signing ceremony, held on Thursday at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, marks another major step in the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable, sustainable road infrastructure that enhances connectivity, stimulates economic growth, and improves the quality of life of Nigerians.
The four contractors and their respective projects are as follows:
1. Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited – Reconstruction of Mando (Kaduna) – Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State,
2. Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited – Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo and Ogun States,
3. Messrs Truecrete Solutions Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road in Osun State and
4. Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road in Osun and Oyo States.
Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, described the projects as strategic national infrastructure designed to boost economic activities, improve transportation efficiency, and strengthen national integration. He noted that the reconstruction of the Mando (Kaduna) –Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State holds special significance, as it was one of the key infrastructure development commitments made by His Excellency, President Tinubu during the 2022/2023 electioneering campaigns. According to the Minister, the present administration remains resolute in its determination to deliver world-class infrastructure that will stand the test of time. “Our vision is to build roads that will last for generations. Under the Renewed Hope administration, we are determined to deliver infrastructure that can serve Nigerians for up to 100 years through the adoption of rigid pavement (concrete) technology,” Umahi stated.
The Minister commended the selected contractors for their competence, track records, and proven capacity, emphasising the Federal Government’s confidence in indigenous contractors. He particularly praised Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited, Truecrete Solutions Limited, and other indigenous firms for their commendable performances on previous projects across the country.
Umahi charged all contractors to mobilise to their respective project sites immediately and commence work without delay, stressing that the Ministry expects measurable progress within the stipulated timelines.
Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, who formally signed the contract agreements, described the occasion as the successful completion of the procurement process and the official commencement of project implementation.
He commended the leadership of the Ministry for its commitment to ensuring that projects reached the execution stage and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to effective monitoring, quality assurance, and timely delivery.
Also speaking, the Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr. Clement Ogbuagu, presented details of the awarded contracts as follows:
1. Reconstruction of Mando–Birnin Gwari Road, Kaduna State
Contractor: Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited
Contract Sum: ₦178,116,787,162.00
Length: 122 Kilometres
2. Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road, Oyo and Ogun States
Contractor: JRB Construction Company Limited,
Contract Sum: ₦295,996,609,992.77
Length: 114.5 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent)
3. Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road, Osun State
Contractor: Truecrete Solutions Limited
Contract Sum: ₦101,806,585,825.90
Length: 70 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent) and
4. Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road, Osun State
Contractor: Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited
Contract Sum: ₦114,854,477,607.93
Length: 73 Kilometres
All the projects will be executed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to building durable, cost-effective, and sustainable road infrastructure nationwide.
The ceremony represents another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s road network and accelerate national economic development.
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