FCT
FCT-IRS says it will partner with global organisations on capacity building
The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service FCT-IRS) has indicated its commitment to collaborating with relevant organisations globally to build the capacity of its personnel for improved service delivery as a strategy to boost revenue generation.
The Acting Executive Chairman of the service Mr Haruna Abdullahi stated this when he received the Global President of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Mr. Joseph Owolabi, and his team who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
Head Corporate Communications of FCT-IRS Mustapha Sumaila in a statement issued on Wednesday quoted Abdullahi to have explained that the Service under his leadership is committed to prioritising capacity building as a way of improving revenue collection in the FCT.
The FCT-IRS boss who highlighted the enormous advantages and global opportunities ACCA has provided the Service, emphasised the need for staff to key into the ACCA programme in order to develop themselves.
He however added that, the Service is always ready to support staff in attaining the skills and expertise needed for the job. According to him, FCT-IRS is geared towards setting an example in terms of public sector in the country.
The Acting Chairman noted that the FCT-IRS being an Approved Employer of the ACCA, is by this virtue saddled with a global responsibility to ensure that the Service is equipped with well trained and knowledgeable professionals.
Abdullahi also reassured the ACCA of the Service continued support and partnership adding that the ACCA has grown tremendously over the years and the Service, being an active partner of the Institute, will strive to maintain the image of ACCA across all spheres.
In his remarks, Mr. Joseph Owolabi commended the FCT-IRS for the critical role the agency plays in the FCT and the ripple effect it has on the Federation. He also appreciated the Service for the support it gives to not just ACCA but also fellow members.
According to him, the Institute is aimed at being a force for public good and will continue to empower its members in terms of learning and attracting the right talents in order to develop the next generation of professional accountants who he repeatedly called ‘talents of the future’.
The Acting Executive Chairman is a fellow of the ACCA and was recently appointed to serve on the Nigerian Advisory Committee of the ACCA in recognition of his vast knowledge, wealth of experience and cross-sector expertise in the profession.
FCT
School Feeding Programme is Boosting Education, Empowering Farmers -FCT minister
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has emphasized the transformative impact of the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP), describing it as a dual-purpose initiative that fosters education and drives local agricultural development.
Speaking through the FCT Focal Person on Social Investment Programme (SIP), Hajia Maijidda Adamu Kuku, at an interactive session with stakeholders across the six area councils of the FCT, Mahmoud highlighted the programme’s reliance on locally sourced produce.
Special Adviser on Media to the minister Austine Elemue, in a statement quoted the minister to have indicated that the approach, is to empower farmers, strengthen the rural economy, and enhance community participation.
Mahmoud affirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to facilitating the programme’s effective implementation by fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
“Regular interactive sessions like this are vital to reflect on successes, address challenges, and chart a sustainable path forward,” she said.
She commended the efforts of government officials, school administrators, farmers, cooks, and development partners, stressing the administration’s determination to ensure inclusivity and leave no school behind in the programme.
The Minister also called for innovative ideas and practical solutions to sustain the programme’s impact, urging stakeholders to work in synergy to confront emerging challenges.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding Programme, Dr. Yetunde Adeniyi,
underscored the initiative’s national importance, citing its role in improving school enrollment and learning outcomes.
“Since its inception, thousands of children have benefited from nutritious meals, leading to increased attendance and retention in schools,” she noted.
Adeniyi encouraged stakeholders to prioritize transparency, accountability, and active community involvement to ensure the programme’s longevity and effectiveness.
FCT Programme Operations Officer, Hauwa Abubakar, outlined the objectives of the stakeholders’ dialogue, emphasizing its focus on enhancing service delivery through transparency, accountability, and linkages with other empowerment initiatives in the FCT.
World Food Programme representative, Agnes Mungatia, further stressed the importance of collaboration, urging stakeholders to unite efforts to amplify the programme’s reach and impact.
The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme has remained a beacon of hope, providing nutritious meals to children while empowering local farmers. With continued commitment from stakeholders, the programme promises to sustain its role as a cornerstone of education and rural development in Nigeria.
FCT
FCT-IRS Urges Employers to File Annual Tax Returns Ahead of January 31 Deadline
The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has called on private companies, Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and other employers of labor within the Federal Capital Territory to file their employees’ annual tax returns for 2024 by January 31, 2025.
This directive is in line with Section 81 of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) 2011 (as amended) and PAYE regulations, which mandate employers to submit detailed annual returns of emoluments paid to employees and total taxes deducted for the preceding year.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Corporate Communications Manager of the Service, Mustapha Sumaila urged Employers are required to use the forms prescribed by FCT-IRS for this purpose.
The statement quoted the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT-IRS, Mr. Michael Ango, whike speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement recently tobhave emphasized the importance of compliance, warning that failure to meet the deadline would attract penalties and sanctions.
He encouraged voluntary compliance, highlighting its role in fostering accountability and easing tax administration.
“We urge all private organizations, MDAs, government enterprises, and sole proprietorships within the FCT to fulfill their tax obligations.
Beyond avoiding sanctions, this compliance will contribute significantly to the development of the FCT and support the Honourable Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON, in his vision of transforming the FCT into a modern city,” Ango stated.
The FCT-IRS reiterated its commitment to efficient tax administration and calls on all stakeholders to cooperate in building a financially sustainable capital territory.
FCT
Police Inaction in Abuja Property Fraud Sparks Outrage
***As Barrister Maxwell Opara demands Justice for Mama Yesufu
In a fiery press conference held on Tuesday, Barrister Maxwell Opara reignited calls for justice in a high-stakes property fraud scandal that has left 79-year-old Hajia Colleen Mero Yesufu fighting to reclaim her properties in the Katampe and Guzape districts of Abuja.
The case, involving allegations of forgery, criminal trespass, and fraudulent property sales, has also raised questions about police integrity and accountability.
Central to the case is Rebecca Omokamo Godwin Isaac (alias Bilkisu Ishaku Aliyu) and her company, Homadil Realty Limited.
They are accused of orchestrating a conspiracy to fraudulently seize Yesufu’s properties, allegedly with the complicity of certain police officers.
Despite substantial evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including forged documents used to manipulate the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), the Nigeria Police Force has controversially dismissed the matter as a “civil issue.”
Opara criticized the Nigeria Police Force, specifically the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, accusing them of shielding the accused.
“How can the Police classify a case as civil without conducting any investigation?” he asked. He further revealed that the EFCC had not only identified the fraudulent documents but also secured an interim forfeiture order on the disputed properties. Yet, according to Opara, the Police have not only failed to act but have allegedly provided armed escorts to protect the suspect’s illegal constructions.
Opara highlighted what he termed the Police’s selective approach to justice. “If the Police can arrest someone for stealing a chicken or detain activists over tweets, why can’t they prosecute those involved in such brazen fraud?” he asked, launching the #ProsecuteTheCrime campaign to demand accountability.
The human rights lawyer also condemned alleged police harassment of the Yesufu family and journalists covering the case, stating that such actions undermine public trust in law enforcement. “Justice in Nigeria often wears the veil of influence instead of being blind,” he said, urging the IGP to distance himself from the case to ensure impartial investigations.
Opara called on the EFCC to expedite the prosecution of the suspects and appealed to the media to amplify the call for justice for vulnerable citizens like Mama Yesufu. “This is not just about one woman; it’s about the future of justice and the protection of the weak in our society,” he said.
In closing, Opara vowed to pursue justice relentlessly, declaring, “We will not stop until every shred of influence shielding criminals is removed and Mama Yesufu’s rights are restored.”
This case, which highlighted the interplay between corruption, influence, and justice in Nigeria, has sparked public outrage and rekindled debates about the integrity of the nation’s justice system.
The call for justice for Mama Yesufu is not just a legal battle but a test of Nigeria’s commitment to fairness and equality before the law.
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