.jpeg "Former FIRS Chairman Nami explains why we paid the Joint Tax Board N5 billion.")
According to a report by iGONG, an online newspaper made claims on Thursday that Nami, upon his departure on September 14, authorized payments up to N11 billion to various contractors, consultants, and other entities.
In response to the accusations, Nami issued a personal statement on Thursday, wherein he characterized the article as deceitful. He argued that the narrative was sensationalized and manipulated to distort the true nature of his professional activities, ultimately aiming to damage his reputation.
The previous head of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) provided clarification that the organization disbursed around N5 billion to the Joint Tax Board in order to support the operations of the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms, a few of months before to his departure.
As per his account, the funds were disbursed subsequent to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) receiving correspondence from the office of President Bola Tinubu, which was duly endorsed by Zacchaeus Adedeji, his successor.
The aforementioned statement emphasizes the significance of acknowledging that no remuneration was provided by the Service subsequent to the declaration of my pre-retirement leave, contrary to the assertions made in this narrative.
The process of obtaining money in the service involves multiple steps, with approval being a crucial milestone in this trip. In accordance with customary practice, upon assuming the position of Executive Chairman, it is expected that the individual will undertake a comprehensive assessment, validate the relevant information, and provide final authorization prior to the disbursement of any payments.
It is crucial to acknowledge that all decisions made and existing liabilities/ commitments of the Service during my tenure are documented in the handover notes that I provided to my successor, Mr. Zacch Adedeji.
He possesses comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all relevant information. To enhance comprehension, the contents enumerated in the Cable Newspaper Report were included in the N16 billion unsettled obligations documented in our official transfer document.
The sum of N5 billion was disbursed to the Joint Tax Board with the purpose of financing the operations of the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms, a period of two months preceding my departure from office. The payment was made subsequent to the receipt of a letter from the office of the President, which was signed by Zacch Adedeji.
The report makes a deliberate effort to depict a scenario in which I hastily departed the country on September 16th following the alleged "suspicious approvals."
Once again, it is important to emphasize that this assertion is entirely inaccurate. In the event that I embarked on an international journey on September 16th, how might I make arrangements to participate in the handover ceremony alongside Mr. Zacch, scheduled for the afternoon of Monday, September 18th, 2023? The media provided coverage of the handover ceremony, which may be verified through cross-referencing.
The portrayal of routine workplace activities as maliciously intended by an online article is disheartening.
I wish to emphatically assert that each choice I made during my tenure as Executive Chairman was conducted in accordance with legal provisions and within the authorized authority vested in me.
Upon assuming office, I was bequeathed a sum of N1.4 billion in the coffers of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Upon my departure, I entrusted a substantial sum of N129 billion to the custody of the Service.