Publication Archives: Newsletter

By: Emmanuel Adefeso (Esq.)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) (hereinafter referred to as “the Commission”) had on Tuesday, 18th day of May, 2021 made some of its staff to swear an oath, committing them not to leak official documents and information.

In an official statement issued by the EFCC and signed by its Spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren titled, ‘EFCC Staff Take Fresh Oath of Allegiance’ it was stated that the EFCC staff have pledged to perform their duties diligently. The statement reads in part as follows: “As part of ongoing reform efforts to improve efficient delivery of its mandate, officials of the EFCC today May 18, 2021 took fresh official oaths, pledging among others, to perform their duties diligently and honestly. The Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, led other categories of staff to take the oath in compliance with the Official Secrets Act and the newly adopted Document Classification Policy of the commission.”

The 18^th day of May 2021 saw the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, granting full autonomy to the Delta State Judiciary as prescribed by law. This decision was communicated by the Governor to the Chief Judge of the State, when the latter, along with other judges of the State, paid the Governor a courtesy visit. The visit of the Chief Judge was among several activities marking His retirement from service, having served the State as Chief Judge since 2015.

BY: R. F. DIETE-SPIFF ESQ

INTRODUCTION

The Babajide Sanwo-Olu led government of Lagos State has indicated interest in the establishment of an Anti-corruption Commission in the state. This move is as a result of the need to deepen the culture of accountability and transparency in the expenditure of appropriated funds. The Bill is termed the Public Complaints and Anti–Corruption Bill of 2021. The Bill is set to empower state actors to investigate and prosecute officials of the State Government and registered contractors who are indicted for economic crimes and financial misappropriation. The Bill when passed into law would not only seek to ensure accountability for public funds, responsibility in public office, but also promote dialogue amongst public officers to keep the trust of the people in the discharge of their duties in line with transparency. The Anti-Corruption Commission Agency sought to be established is akin to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which is a federal government agency created to prosecute those who misappropriate public funds.

By: Emmanuel Adefeso (Esq.)

INTRODUCTION

The world over, it is an undisputable fact that government requires finance to discharge its manifold duties, which includes but not limited to, security of lives and properties, management of the economy and provision of basic infrastructures. Unsurprisingly, taxation is one of the assured and principal ways by which a government can raise funds to carry out its manifold functions. To have a good tax system, there must be tax laws which complies with the basic characteristics of a good tax system as it is not enough to have good tax laws without a paired and effective tax administrative machinery, because the provisions of the tax laws must be enforced as much as possible in order to ensure that the objectives of the tax system are achieved.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in a bid to checkmate the incessant rise of illegal oil bunkering within the South South Geopolitical Zone have concluded plans to set up an integrated chemical laboratory which would situated at Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Chief Detective Superintendent (CDS) Aliyu Nabi who happens to be the Zonal Head of the Commission did host Executives of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) on Tuesday, 27^th April, 2021 where issues relating to the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Economic and  Financial Crimes Commission will work together in ensuring