Some unidentified gunmen have killed Edozieuno Anakpulu, a former Igwe of Mkpunado Aguleri in the Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra state.
The gunmen killed Igwe Alex Edozieuno Anakpulu on Friday.
According to eyewitness reports, Anakpulu was shot dead alongside his personal driver around Anyamelu area of the state.
The state police command’s Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident, saying the Commissioner of Police, Tony Olofu, has ordered investigation on the matter.
The PPRO said, “The Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command , Tony Olofu, has led a team of police operatives to the scene of murder incident along Ikem Ivife Village by Ezu bridge, Otuocha, Anambra East.
“He described the incident as man’s inhumanity to man and ordered immediate investigation into the incident.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the victims, one Mr Alex Edozieuno, 62 years old, a former traditional ruler of Nkpunado Community Anambra East LGA and his driver Chukwuemeka (other names yet to be identified) were attacked by suspected gunmen by 10am along Ezu bridge, Otuocha.
“The exhibits recovered from the scene include; one Lexus 470 with plate reg No Aguleri-1 belonging to the victim and some expended ammunition.
“Meanwhile, the bodies have been deposited to the mortuary. Further development shall be communicated.”
The development comes amidst the rising insecurity and high profile assassinations in the Southeastern part of the country.
Recall that in May, Ahmed Gulak, a former Special Assistant on Politics to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was murdered in Owerri, the Imo State capital while trying to catch a flight at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bala Elkana, Gulak did not inform the security agents of his movement despite knowing the worsening security issues in the country.
Also, the Managing director of the Scientific Equipment Development Initiative, SEDI, Simon Ndubuisi was killed under similar circumstances in July this year.
He was killed along Enugu-Port Harcourt highway near the entrance of the Centenary Estate around Amech Awkunanaw in Enugu.
It was learnt that the gunmen also killed his police escort and abducted his daughter, who was in the car.
Professor Ndubuisi hailed fom Mgbowo in the Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has shown his support for his counterparts in Lagos and Rivers states amid moves to make the collection of value-added tax (VAT) exclusive to states.
The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, signed into law the bill on Value Added Tax (VAT) collection in the state.
Governor Ortom
This was days after a Federal High Court issued an order restraining the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) from collecting the tax in the state.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, followed suit on Friday.
However, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered both Rivers and Lagos states to maintain status quo over the collection of VAT, pending the determination of an appeal filed by the FIRS.
Ortom, who spoke with journalists on Friday, said although he supports Wike and Sanwo-Olu, he would embrace the decision of the court on VAT collection no matter the outcome.
Ortom said he had already directed the Benue State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to study the law and tell him its implications.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong in embracing the law as long as it conforms with the constitution, whether it affects states positively or negatively. I support the governors of Rivers and Lagos states for what they are doing.
“Anything that is in tandem with the rule of law I will accept, but if anyone thinks otherwise, the best thing to do is to go to court. I heard they are in court, and if the case is decided otherwise by the Supreme Court, we will accept it,” the governor said.
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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has shown his support for his counterparts in Lagos and Rivers states amid moves to make the collection of value-added tax (VAT) exclusive to states.
The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, signed into law the bill on Value Added Tax (VAT) collection in the state.
Governor Ortom
This was days after a Federal High Court issued an order restraining the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) from collecting the tax in the state.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, followed suit on Friday.
However, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered both Rivers and Lagos states to maintain status quo over the collection of VAT, pending the determination of an appeal filed by the FIRS.
Ortom, who spoke with journalists on Friday, said although he supports Wike and Sanwo-Olu, he would embrace the decision of the court on VAT collection no matter the outcome.
Ortom said he had already directed the Benue State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to study the law and tell him its implications.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong in embracing the law as long as it conforms with the constitution, whether it affects states positively or negatively. I support the governors of Rivers and Lagos states for what they are doing.
“Anything that is in tandem with the rule of law I will accept, but if anyone thinks otherwise, the best thing to do is to go to court. I heard they are in court, and if the case is decided otherwise by the Supreme Court, we will accept it,” the governor said.
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President Muhammadu Buhari says doctors’ outstanding benefits would not be paid until a verification exercise is carried out.
Buhari also scolded the doctors for prioritising their grievances more than the services they rendered to the Nigerian population, adding that the hazard allowance would be reviewed after the “deep division within the ranks of the striking doctors” is resolved.
The National Association of Resident Doctors had on August 1 commenced an indefinite strike action over “irregular payment of salaries”, among other issues.
Efforts of stakeholders, including the House of Representatives to mediate between the Nigerian government and the resident doctors did not yield results.
In a bid to force the doctors back to work, the Nigerian government instituted a suit against the association, asking the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining members of NARD from continuing with the action.
The Industrial Court ruled that the doctors should resume work but the doctors have insisted on continuing with the strike until their demands are met.
Meeting with officials of the Nigeria Medical Association at the State House in Friday, the President faulted the industrial action, saying “The lives of citizens that could be lost or damaged when doctors withdraw services, are precious enough to be worth opting for peaceful resolution of differences.
“Let me speak directly to the striking doctors. Embarking on industrial action at this time when Nigerians need you most is not the best action to take, no matter the grievances.
“This administration has a good track record of paying all debts owed to government workers, pensioners and contractors and we have even revisited debts left by past administrations; once due verification is done, debts genuinely owed Health workers will be settled.
“I learnt that some of the 12-point demand in the ongoing strike was already addressed, though the review of a new Hazard Allowance has not been fully negotiated because of the sharp and deep division within the ranks of the striking doctors.”
“President Buhari said the outstanding issue of an Establishment circular issued by the Head of Service, removing House officers, NYSC Doctors from scheme of service had an addendum circular from National Salaries and Wages Commission to clarify that they will continue to earn the wages attached to them on their present wage structure,” Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as saying in a statement.
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President Muhammadu Buhari says doctors’ outstanding benefits would not be paid until a verification exercise is carried out.
Buhari also scolded the doctors for prioritising their grievances more than the services they rendered to the Nigerian population, adding that the hazard allowance would be reviewed after the “deep division within the ranks of the striking doctors” is resolved.
The National Association of Resident Doctors had on August 1 commenced an indefinite strike action over “irregular payment of salaries”, among other issues.
Efforts of stakeholders, including the House of Representatives to mediate between the Nigerian government and the resident doctors did not yield results.
In a bid to force the doctors back to work, the Nigerian government instituted a suit against the association, asking the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining members of NARD from continuing with the action.
The Industrial Court ruled that the doctors should resume work but the doctors have insisted on continuing with the strike until their demands are met.
Meeting with officials of the Nigeria Medical Association at the State House in Friday, the President faulted the industrial action, saying “The lives of citizens that could be lost or damaged when doctors withdraw services, are precious enough to be worth opting for peaceful resolution of differences.
“Let me speak directly to the striking doctors. Embarking on industrial action at this time when Nigerians need you most is not the best action to take, no matter the grievances.
“This administration has a good track record of paying all debts owed to government workers, pensioners and contractors and we have even revisited debts left by past administrations; once due verification is done, debts genuinely owed Health workers will be settled.
“I learnt that some of the 12-point demand in the ongoing strike was already addressed, though the review of a new Hazard Allowance has not been fully negotiated because of the sharp and deep division within the ranks of the striking doctors.”
“President Buhari said the outstanding issue of an Establishment circular issued by the Head of Service, removing House officers, NYSC Doctors from scheme of service had an addendum circular from National Salaries and Wages Commission to clarify that they will continue to earn the wages attached to them on their present wage structure,” Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as saying in a statement.
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Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore says his slain younger brother, Olajide, will not die in vain.
“My brother Olajide Sowore will never die in vain, thank you Nigeria! Though I am shackled, I am not in chains, I refuse to be held down! #RevolutionNow,” the activist posted on Facebook.
Olajide was murdered in cold blood by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Saturday in the Okada area of Edo State.
Before his death, he was a student of Igbinedion University, Okada, where he was studying Pharmacy.
He was buried in the Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Thursday.
In another Facebook post, Sowore on Friday thanked everyone for their support and solidarity.
The activist also shared photos of the burial with the caption, “Gratitude. Today, I am returning to you ALL for your support, companionship, and sympathy extended towards our family over the untimely but gruesome murder of our beloved brother, Olajide Sowore.
“Of particular note are those early callers who commiserated with our family when this dastardly incident broke, we must here specially mention our comrades who took the risk to be physically present at his funeral and those who joined virtually across the world and stayed till my brother was interned at Kiribo, our home town.
“We reserve a special place for pathologists, lawyers and a handful of law enforcement officers who though limited by prevailing incompetence on the police did their personal best to assist the family by fully cooperating to ensure that a befitting burial was done.
“We send our regards to compatriots who defy our family's rejection of fundraising to provide their token of support to our brother’s immediate family.
“We are immensely grateful to each and everyone who took out time to drop a comment, salutations, and words of encouragement throughout this period.
Finally, we thank the authorities of Igbinedion University in Okada for their generosity in providing a motor hearse to convey our brother to his final resting place.
“It is important to state that our commitment by joining in popular efforts to bring about a revolutionary change in Nigeria remains unwavering. Those who didn’t get specific mention were not overlooked, especially the great people of Kiribo who took the loss with grace and gave our brother a befitting burial!”
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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, has signed the state Value Added Tax (VAT) Bill into law.
Gbenga Omotosho, State Commissioner for Information disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
“Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed into law the State VAT Bill as passed by the House of Assembly.
“The Governor signed the 'bill for a law to impose and charge VAT on certain goods and services' at about 11.45am today, after returning from an official trip to Abuja. By this act, the Bill has now become a Law,” Omotoso said.
The Lagos State House of Assembly had on Thursday unanimous passed the bill.
Consumers pay VAT when they purchase goods or obtain services. All goods and services (produced within or imported into the country) are taxable except those specifically exempted by the VAT Act.
The VAT rate was raised in Nigeria from five percent to 7.5 percent in 2020.
VAT collection by the Federal Inland Revenue System (FIRS) on behalf of the Nigerian government has been a subject of controversy.
The FIRS, which administers the tax, transfers the generated revenue to the three levels of government via the federation accounts allocation committee (FAAC).
Recently, a court in Port Harcourt restrained FIRS from the collection of VAT and empowered the Rivers state government to take charge.
After the ruling, the Lagos state government began to domesticate a law to guide the collection of its VAT and warned FIRS to obey the Rivers ruling.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Thursday signed into law the bill on Value-Added Tax (VAT) collection in the state.
Wike signed the bill which was recently passed by the state House of Assembly at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, has signed the state Value Added Tax (VAT) Bill into law.
Gbenga Omotosho, State Commissioner for Information disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
“Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed into law the State VAT Bill as passed by the House of Assembly.
“The Governor signed the 'bill for a law to impose and charge VAT on certain goods and services' at about 11.45am today, after returning from an official trip to Abuja. By this act, the Bill has now become a Law,” Omotoso said.
The Lagos State House of Assembly had on Thursday unanimous passed the bill.
Consumers pay VAT when they purchase goods or obtain services. All goods and services (produced within or imported into the country) are taxable except those specifically exempted by the VAT Act.
The VAT rate was raised in Nigeria from five percent to 7.5 percent in 2020.
VAT collection by the Federal Inland Revenue System (FIRS) on behalf of the Nigerian government has been a subject of controversy.
The FIRS, which administers the tax, transfers the generated revenue to the three levels of government via the federation accounts allocation committee (FAAC).
Recently, a court in Port Harcourt restrained FIRS from the collection of VAT and empowered the Rivers state government to take charge.
After the ruling, the Lagos state government began to domesticate a law to guide the collection of its VAT and warned FIRS to obey the Rivers ruling.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Thursday signed into law the bill on Value-Added Tax (VAT) collection in the state.
Wike signed the bill which was recently passed by the state House of Assembly at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
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A priest with the Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Rev Efe Urhogo has reportedly died while ministering at St John's Anglican Church, Okpara Inland, Ethiope East Local Government Area in Delta State.
It was learnt that the priest slumped while ministering from the pulpit on Wednesday evening during the Anglican Youth Week programme.
He was subsequently rushed to hospital.
He was, however, confirmed dead at the Eku Government General Hospital, Eku.
Meanwhile, his remains have been taken to the morgue.
The deceased hailed from Urhuoka-Abraka in the Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.
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Ned Nwoko, one of government’s six creditors controversially owed $418million debts associated with the Paris Club refund, has criticised the Nigerian Governors’ Forum recent protest letter against the payment of the money.
Nwoko accused the governors of alleged diversion of a staggering US$142 million [N58 billion] which accrued to him, as part of judgement debts on excess deductions from the local governments.
Ned Nwoko
He said the amount was part of the US$350 million earlier approved by the Nigerian government for his firm, Linas International Limited as consultancy payment on Paris Club refunds to LGAs.
Nwoko said there was no justification to continue to withhold the payment of his $142 million share of the money.
The NGF had in a recent submission queried Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, for issuing promissory notes in favour of judgment creditors or consultants relating to Paris and London Club refunds.
The governors claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the payment of the $418 million Paris Club judgment debt despite pending court cases.
The NGF through its lawyer, Chief Femi Falana (SAN) stressed that the Minister ought to have stayed the execution of judgment connected with payments of legal and consultancy fees arising from London Club Debt Buy Back and London Club Debt Exit Payment, which is the alleged fulcrum of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/130/13 – Linas International Limited & ORS V. the Federal Government of NIGERIA & ORS.
But in a counter letter dated September 06, 2021 to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and copied to the Minister of Finance through his team of lawyers, Nwoko argued that “it is dishonest, deceitful and malicious for the governors to pretend that it is wrong to obey court orders”.
“It is always easy to forget that people had paid back to EFCC the monies paid to them without justification. EFCC has investigated and issued three different reports on the involvement of Ned Nwoko with respect to Paris Club Refunds and all the investigations exonerated him,” he continued.
“We cannot fail to remind you Sir, that the criminal first investigation on the role of Ned Nwoko and Linas International Ltd with Paris Club Refund claims was at your instructions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2016. Following that first investigation two subsequent investigations were carried out by the EFCC and all affirmed the pivotal roles of Ned Nwoko and Linas International Ltd in the consultancy for the Paris Club Reforms”.
The lawyers pointed out that by the terms of engagement, Nwoko spent his funds to execute the assignment on the clear condition that where no money was recovered there was no liability to the local and state governments, NGF and ALGON.
They explained that the former lawmaker bore the entire risk and loss while he engaged other professionals and in some cases borrowed through private arrangements to achieve the objective.
The letter further stated, “The states and local governments never had confidence in the chances of success of these consultancies and will not stake their money to fund the inherent costs therein. Hence, they agreed to the percentages now being enforced and left the consultants to, “sink or swim”.
“The Consultants having succeeded, the state and local governments have taken the benefits and in what is becoming habitual of politicians at state and local government levels they do not desire to pay in accordance with agreements…”
“It bears reiteration, under the prevailing atmosphere of misinformation, to recall that the present payments are part of a broad policy initiative of the Federal Government to liquidate judgment debts which are segmented into Categories A, B, and C. The present payment falls into category A for judgment debts of states and local governments, which were arrived at through the due process of the law.”
The lawyers added that categories B and C comprise of judgment debts against Ministries Departments and MDAs worth approximately US$700 million.
While commending the Federal Government for the bold policy initiative to liquidate the judgment debts, Ned Nwoko legal team averred that it was “common knowledge that the states and local governments have become a graveyard of so many companies, businesses and upstarts ventures who are lured into rendering services for which they take benefits and refuse to pay”.
The lawyers recalled that their “client gave substantial concessions to the NGF and discounted the sum he is entitled to in the judgments being enforced”.
Furthermore, they drew attention to the fact that the acceptance of Promissory Notes instead of direct cash payment, as was done for the states and local governments in the refunds results to a further loss of value by our client.
“If our client and perhaps other consultants were paid simultaneously with the refunds, which is the responsible thing to do, there would have been no need for the several law suits which are now being enforced and for which the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Finance is being vilified,” they stated.
The lawyers argued, “The facts and circumstances of the case at hand with respect to suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/130/ 2013, is entirely different from local government funds coming from allocations to the Federation Account. The funds involved in this case were judgment sums recovered from the Federal Government by the Linas International Limited in favour of local governments.”
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Ned Nwoko, one of government’s six creditors controversially owed $418million debts associated with the Paris Club refund, has criticised the Nigerian Governors’ Forum recent protest letter against the payment of the money.
Nwoko accused the governors of alleged diversion of a staggering US$142 million [N58 billion] which accrued to him, as part of judgement debts on excess deductions from the local governments.
Ned Nwoko
He said the amount was part of the US$350 million earlier approved by the Nigerian government for his firm, Linas International Limited as consultancy payment on Paris Club refunds to LGAs.
Nwoko said there was no justification to continue to withhold the payment of his $142 million share of the money.
The NGF had in a recent submission queried Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, for issuing promissory notes in favour of judgment creditors or consultants relating to Paris and London Club refunds.
The governors claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the payment of the $418 million Paris Club judgment debt despite pending court cases.
The NGF through its lawyer, Chief Femi Falana (SAN) stressed that the Minister ought to have stayed the execution of judgment connected with payments of legal and consultancy fees arising from London Club Debt Buy Back and London Club Debt Exit Payment, which is the alleged fulcrum of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/130/13 – Linas International Limited & ORS V. the Federal Government of NIGERIA & ORS.
But in a counter letter dated September 06, 2021 to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and copied to the Minister of Finance through his team of lawyers, Nwoko argued that “it is dishonest, deceitful and malicious for the governors to pretend that it is wrong to obey court orders”.
“It is always easy to forget that people had paid back to EFCC the monies paid to them without justification. EFCC has investigated and issued three different reports on the involvement of Ned Nwoko with respect to Paris Club Refunds and all the investigations exonerated him,” he continued.
“We cannot fail to remind you Sir, that the criminal first investigation on the role of Ned Nwoko and Linas International Ltd with Paris Club Refund claims was at your instructions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2016. Following that first investigation two subsequent investigations were carried out by the EFCC and all affirmed the pivotal roles of Ned Nwoko and Linas International Ltd in the consultancy for the Paris Club Reforms”.
The lawyers pointed out that by the terms of engagement, Nwoko spent his funds to execute the assignment on the clear condition that where no money was recovered there was no liability to the local and state governments, NGF and ALGON.
They explained that the former lawmaker bore the entire risk and loss while he engaged other professionals and in some cases borrowed through private arrangements to achieve the objective.
The letter further stated, “The states and local governments never had confidence in the chances of success of these consultancies and will not stake their money to fund the inherent costs therein. Hence, they agreed to the percentages now being enforced and left the consultants to, “sink or swim”.
“The Consultants having succeeded, the state and local governments have taken the benefits and in what is becoming habitual of politicians at state and local government levels they do not desire to pay in accordance with agreements…”
“It bears reiteration, under the prevailing atmosphere of misinformation, to recall that the present payments are part of a broad policy initiative of the Federal Government to liquidate judgment debts which are segmented into Categories A, B, and C. The present payment falls into category A for judgment debts of states and local governments, which were arrived at through the due process of the law.”
The lawyers added that categories B and C comprise of judgment debts against Ministries Departments and MDAs worth approximately US$700 million.
While commending the Federal Government for the bold policy initiative to liquidate the judgment debts, Ned Nwoko legal team averred that it was “common knowledge that the states and local governments have become a graveyard of so many companies, businesses and upstarts ventures who are lured into rendering services for which they take benefits and refuse to pay”.
The lawyers recalled that their “client gave substantial concessions to the NGF and discounted the sum he is entitled to in the judgments being enforced”.
Furthermore, they drew attention to the fact that the acceptance of Promissory Notes instead of direct cash payment, as was done for the states and local governments in the refunds results to a further loss of value by our client.
“If our client and perhaps other consultants were paid simultaneously with the refunds, which is the responsible thing to do, there would have been no need for the several law suits which are now being enforced and for which the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Finance is being vilified,” they stated.
The lawyers argued, “The facts and circumstances of the case at hand with respect to suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/130/ 2013, is entirely different from local government funds coming from allocations to the Federation Account. The funds involved in this case were judgment sums recovered from the Federal Government by the Linas International Limited in favour of local governments.”
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The Lagos State Government has applied to join the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in its appeal against Rivers State at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
Lagos applied to be joined as a co-respondent in the appeal filed by the FIRS challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.
The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had on August 10 restrained the FIRS from collecting VAT and personal income tax in Rivers State.
The Attorney General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), who informed the court of their application for the Lagos State Government to be joined as a party in the appeal, argued that the application for joinder should be taken first before FIRS’ application for stay of execution.
The counsel for the FIRS, Mahmoud Magaji (SAN) argued that their application for stay of execution should take precedence over the application for joinder.
The court stood down the matter for the ruling, after listening to submissions from all the parties.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Thursday signed into law the bill on Value-Added Tax (VAT) collection in the state.
Wike signed the bill which was recently passed by the state House of Assembly at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
He said the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had sufficiently addressed the illegality perpetrated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
On Thursday, Lagos State House of Assembly also passed the bill after a unanimous vote by the lawmakers, and a copy has been sent to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, for his assent.
The development has generated mixed reactions across the country.
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The Lagos State Government has applied to join the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in its appeal against Rivers State at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
Lagos applied to be joined as a co-respondent in the appeal filed by the FIRS challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.
The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had on August 10 restrained the FIRS from collecting VAT and personal income tax in Rivers State.
The Attorney General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), who informed the court of their application for the Lagos State Government to be joined as a party in the appeal, argued that the application for joinder should be taken first before FIRS’ application for stay of execution.
The counsel for the FIRS, Mahmoud Magaji (SAN) argued that their application for stay of execution should take precedence over the application for joinder.
The court stood down the matter for the ruling, after listening to submissions from all the parties.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Thursday signed into law the bill on Value-Added Tax (VAT) collection in the state.
Wike signed the bill which was recently passed by the state House of Assembly at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
He said the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had sufficiently addressed the illegality perpetrated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
On Thursday, Lagos State House of Assembly also passed the bill after a unanimous vote by the lawmakers, and a copy has been sent to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, for his assent.
The development has generated mixed reactions across the country.
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