Monday, July 4, 2016
RE-ALLEGED PRESENTATION OF FALSE TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE BY DR OKEZIE VICTOR IKPEAZU TO INEC: THE SACRED FACTS/TRUE POSITION BY ABIA STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
The attention of the Abia State Internal Revenue Service has been drawn to a court judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja on the tax clearance certificate issued to Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu by the Service, and hereby makes the following clarifications:
1. That the tax clearance certificate referred to in that Judgment was duly issued to Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu by the Service, and was therefore not fake.
2. That the taxes for the years 2011,2012 and 2013 were PAYE taxes deducted at source from his personal emoluments by his employers (Abia State Passengers’ Integrated Manifest Scheme and Abia State Environmental Sanitation Authority respectively) and remitted to the service in the relevant tax years
3. That the dates on the tax receipts of the relevant years (2011, 2012 and 2013) did not suggest that they were paid on those dates, but only reflected the date he applied to be issued with the receipts, because that was when he needed them.
4. In the same vein the dates on the tax receipts did not suggest that they were written out on those days. The date on the receipts only indicates the last day of the last month of the year, when the PAYE tax payer became entitled to the receipts, as the receipts could not have carried a date earlier or later than the 31st December of the relevant tax year. It is immaterial that it fell on a Saturday, Sunday or any other day of the week. For example if 31st December 2011 fell on a Saturday, in the month following i.e January, when the receipts are to be written out, it cannot carry any date in January 2012 or any other month in 2012.
5. That his taxes having been deducted by his afore said employers and remitted to the service within the relevant years will not be said to have been paid on the same day, as such were paid as at when due. In fact the issue of payment as at when due does not apply to PAYE taxes because the tax payer has no part to play in the deduction and remittance of his PAYE as the same is done by his employer. Where there is failure to deduct and remit PAYE taxes, it is the employer and not the tax payer that is liable. See LSIRS and Seven Up Bottling Company reported in year 2000. Having stated the facts as they are above, we make bold to say that the tax returns filed by Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu to his party (Peoples Democratic Party) were neither false nor fake and cannot be said to amount to fraudulent payment of taxes.
Consequently, we affirm that both the Tax Clearance Certificate and the tax receipts referred to in the afore said judgment were the documents of Abia State Internal Revenue Service because same was authored by the Service as the authority empowered by law to do so.
Finally, we state emphatically for the records and for the attention of the general public that we were never invited (subpoenaed) by the court or the plaintiff, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah during the pendency of the subject suit that led to the judgment in Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu’s tax matter to state the authenticity or otherwise of the tax papers in issue.
Udochukwu G. Ogbonna
Executive Chairman.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Niyi Akintola SAN, has condemned an earlier opinion
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| Chief Niyi Akintola SAN |
The foremost lawyer further said he was disheartened by the contradictory and self- serving statements of his fellow Learned Silks, saying that their position in Amechi versus Omehia and on Peter Obi, the former governors of Rivers and Anambra States, is contrary to their take on the current Abia issue involving Ikpeazu and Ogah. Specifically, he pointed out that both the constitution and the electoral act were unambiguous on the matter.
He argued that Uche Ogah did not participate in the real election, neither did he win the party primary to be considered as governor of Abia state in the first place. "In the first place in the eyes of the law, the order of the court to INEC to issue certificate of return 'with immediate effect' was over taken by event; the event being the governor's appeal against the jugdement which is clearly according to the law. So, the fact that an Appeal has been filed and served, and they have acknowledged it, it is unconstitutional and other wise wrong for INEC to issue certificate of return to Ogah, and for anybody to be saying what is simply an aberration to the Nigerian law. "In fact, even if INEC was not formally served and they have advance notice of the governor's rejection and appeal against the judgment, INEC is bound by the law to wait for expiration of the days acknowledged in the constitution before they will issue certificate of return to Mr. Ogah.
The law is unambiguous on this and all the lawyers in this country know this. "Without mincing words, this is the problem with most of our colleagues, in times like this when their objective and professional opinions are needed for such an important issue that will become an essential precedent in our legal development, they just cannot keep their political affiliations apart from the simply truth, even when they are not direct counsel to the matter in question.
Most of the time, they bring their interest to bear in the analysis of events. "The Electoral Act and the Constitution has said that you must have participated at every stage of the election before you can become governor. Did Mr. Ogah win the primary or participated in the general elections, what are we talking about? What surprises me is that these respected SANs speak fallacy on some important issues but when you bring their statements on the same issue in the past, it is totally contradictory.
It is disheartening that most of them don't speak with the voice of intelligence when it is mostly needed." The SAN also said, "That matter is already in court and INEC has acknowledged it has the notice of appeal. So, it is needless and an aberration for someone to be saying the governor has been removed and that Mr. Ogah be sworn-in.
And speaking of the Amaechi's case, the constitution has clearly stated that no one can become a governor unless he or she participated in all the election process. The issue is nolonger that it was the party that contested election. So, both the Presidency, the Attorney General of the Federation, the NJC, NBA and all the judicial and legal professionals in Nigeria should not support this aberration because it will bounce on us eventually." Speaking in the vein, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mallam Yusuf Ali, said the judgment of the High Court was very clear when it said the governor should vacate his office, but that if the governor has expressed dissatisfaction with the judgement and had appealed, that it was absolutely wrong of INEC to issue a return certificate to the other candidate.
Therefore, INEC's action is a contradiction to the tenets of the law as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act. "On this basis, I totally disagree with the statements created to Agbakoba and Falana, in saying that Governor Ikpeazu is no longer Abia governor in the eyes of the law."
WHY OGAH WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR..
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| Uche Ogah |
Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, the MD of Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited has an oil subsidiary scam of #2.7 Billion thru a company he bought over from Hon. Emeka Wogu. He used the firm, PINNACLE CONTRACTORS LTD, to perpetrate the fraud of being paid for the PMS he never supplied. Nuhu Ribadu probe panel, indicted this Fulani origin, Abia politician. But, Larmode suppressed the report. Now, the guy got a hint he will soon be invited by EFCC to re-open the matter, he now wants to hide under immunity to run away from prosecution. Thats why he's desperate to be sworn in at all cost.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
ABIA CRISIS: I'M ON GROUND, SAYS CHIEF JUDGE
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| Justice Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe |
Abia State Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe, on Sunday, described as untrue the allegation that she has absconded from duty to avoid the anticipated inauguration of Uche Ogah as governor.
She said that contrary to insinuations, she was in her office throughout work time on Thursday June 30 2016 from 8:30am till 4:30pm.
Uzokwe in a statement issued on her behalf by the Acting Chief Registrar of Abia State Judiciary, Mrs. Vicky Analaba, and obtained by journalists in Umuahia, described it as "spurious and mischievous allegations of cowardice by mischievous politicians."
She said, "The attention of the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe, has been drawn to various spurious and mischievous reports alleging that the Honorable Chief Judge had absconded from her duty post on Thursday 30th June 2016, to avoid swearing in Uche Ogah as Governor of Abia State.
"Contrary to the allegations of cowardice by mischievous politicians, the Chief Judge, was in her office throughout work time on Thursday 30 June 2016 from 8:30am till 4:30pm.
"For the avoidance of doubt, on Thursday 30th June 2016, the Chief Judge was in her court room performing her lawful duties, including the delivery of four rulings on that date.
"The particulars of the ruling in question are: HU/35CM/2015 FRANCIS AKOR vs the State; HU/ICM/2016-JOHNSON ASIEGBU vs. Commissioner of Police, HU/42CM/2016-Onyekachi Samuel vs. Commissioner of Police HU/34CM/2016-Lucky Sampson vs. the State.
"These facts are verifiable and in the records of the court. The various lawyers who appeared in the respective suits listed above are also living witnesses. This press release has become necessary in order to avoid further mischief and to set the records straight."
SALUTE TO THE ABIA STATE POLICE COMMAND
It is pertinent to commend the Commissioner, officers and men of the Abia State Police Command for the professionalism and high sense of patriotism they have displayed since this crisis erupted in Abia State.
As we can see, the Police have been on top of the security situation in
the state and have so far forestalled any security breaches in the
state.
All the Police Officers attached to the Abia State Government House, from the Chief Security Officer, the ADCs to the Governor and his Deputy and other other key security personnel have been at their duty posts discharging their statutory functions in line with the law.
This is very commendable indeed.
The State Commissioner of Police has also gone on air to dispel any rumors of any crisis in the state and assuring all peace loving citizens of adequate protection at all times. He also warned any person or group of persons that are planning to destabilize the peace in the state that his men are in pole position to deal decisively with any such person or persons.
I am even more emboldened that the new Acting Inspector General of Police is a highly experienced officer with a lot of exposure both locally and internationally. He is a lawyer and so understands the issues involved.
Same kudos goes to the leadership of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the state who, like the Police have remained very professional throughout this period. Their men who are posted to both the Government House no other key places have been doing their job decently.
History shall be kind to all of you for refusing to become partisan at this critical time in the history of our state.
Take a bow, our Security operatives.
All the Police Officers attached to the Abia State Government House, from the Chief Security Officer, the ADCs to the Governor and his Deputy and other other key security personnel have been at their duty posts discharging their statutory functions in line with the law.
This is very commendable indeed.
The State Commissioner of Police has also gone on air to dispel any rumors of any crisis in the state and assuring all peace loving citizens of adequate protection at all times. He also warned any person or group of persons that are planning to destabilize the peace in the state that his men are in pole position to deal decisively with any such person or persons.
I am even more emboldened that the new Acting Inspector General of Police is a highly experienced officer with a lot of exposure both locally and internationally. He is a lawyer and so understands the issues involved.
Same kudos goes to the leadership of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the state who, like the Police have remained very professional throughout this period. Their men who are posted to both the Government House no other key places have been doing their job decently.
History shall be kind to all of you for refusing to become partisan at this critical time in the history of our state.
Take a bow, our Security operatives.
ABIA STATE: PARTIES INVOLVED SHOULD AWAIT THE DECISIONS OF THE court - AGF
ABIA STATE: PARTIES INVOLVED SHOULD AWAIT THE DECISIONS OF THE court - AGF
...Yet to proffer legal opinion
1. The attention of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to the insinuations and crass lies being peddled and disseminated by a cross-section of Nigerians and the various media platforms that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation is behind the legal logjam over the Abia state governorship seat and wish to clarify that those canvassing this position have no basis to do so.
 |
| COMRADE SALIHU OTHMAN ISAH |
1. The attention of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to the insinuations and crass lies being peddled and disseminated by a cross-section of Nigerians and the various media platforms that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation is behind the legal logjam over the Abia state governorship seat and wish to clarify that those canvassing this position have no basis to do so.
2. Of particular concern are those who have peddled ill-natured rumours
with a view to misinform our discerning populace that the Honourable
Attorney General of the Federation and by extension, the Federal
Government of Nigeria that gave directives to the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Certificate of Return to Dr.
Uchechukwu Ogah declaring him Governor-Elect. He has definitely not
taken any action either by spoken words or body language as far as this
Abiagovernorship crisis is concerned.
3. I wish to therefore, on behalf of my principal declare that these rumours are untrue and a figment of the imagination of those pushing these selfish, shameless and irredeemable lies into public space which only translates to partisanship on the side of its purveyors.
4. As far as the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation is concerned, the constitutional powers for the legal opinion of his office have not been invoked on this issue. So far, nobody has approached him to proffer any legal opinion to it. As a strong believer in the rule of law, it is his belief that the law should naturally take its cause. The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation will not be dragged into this controversy and mind-games being played out by the various legal minds and spin doctors of both camps at this point.
5. The parties involved should await the decision of the courts.
6. In fact, we wish to by this statement advice those in the habit of dragging the highly esteemed Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice into knotty issue of this kind even when it is yet to take a position. They should desist from these unwarranted presumptions henceforth.
Signed,
COMRADE SALIHU OTHMAN ISAH
SPECIAL ADVISER, MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
TO THE HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE
3RD JULY, 2016
3. I wish to therefore, on behalf of my principal declare that these rumours are untrue and a figment of the imagination of those pushing these selfish, shameless and irredeemable lies into public space which only translates to partisanship on the side of its purveyors.
4. As far as the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation is concerned, the constitutional powers for the legal opinion of his office have not been invoked on this issue. So far, nobody has approached him to proffer any legal opinion to it. As a strong believer in the rule of law, it is his belief that the law should naturally take its cause. The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation will not be dragged into this controversy and mind-games being played out by the various legal minds and spin doctors of both camps at this point.
5. The parties involved should await the decision of the courts.
6. In fact, we wish to by this statement advice those in the habit of dragging the highly esteemed Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice into knotty issue of this kind even when it is yet to take a position. They should desist from these unwarranted presumptions henceforth.
Signed,
COMRADE SALIHU OTHMAN ISAH
SPECIAL ADVISER, MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
TO THE HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE
3RD JULY, 2016
Plot by Ikpeazu’s detractors to hijack Abia State Government House
Over the last few days, the news tabloids are awash with negative headlines
concerning God’s own state; Abia. These recent happenings revealed the evil
plans of some self-seeking politicians to destabilize the developmental
strides, peace and decorum enjoyed in Abia State, using the judiciary to
rubber-stamp their devilish plot of dethroning the government of Governor
Okezie Ikpeazu.
In their myopic and ignorance of the supreme being, they fail to realize that power belongs to God. They failed to realize that just like David, God had chosen and installed Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu to serve Abia people. The reason for their failure is not far fetched. While they failed to recognize their leaders as well be good followers, how can they be good leaders? They should first understand the nitty-gritty of leadership if they must be good leaders. These notorious individuals want to clinch to power and use it to expand their business empires and thus feather their nest from the State’s treasury. It’s is a well known fact that their misgivings against governor Ikpeazu is that he failed to tow the path of other politicians who used their state’s commonwealth to dole out to some individuals who are bent on milking the states dry to the detriment of the poor masses who are in dare need of development in the states. Governor Ikpeazu’s refusal to service the bank accounts of political God-fathers to the detriment of the generality of Abians has left them to lick their sore wounds.
That notwithstanding, the the sun must continue to shine. Hence the numerous awards and commendations of the Governor in his kitty just in one year in office. The ICPC even commended governor Ikpeazu for using the state’s share of its bailout fund judiciously and the real purpose it was meant for. Rather than using allegations and falsehood to hookwink the general public, these disgruntled elements should face their prosecution by the EFCC on the case they were indicted of having defrauded Nigeria the sum of N2.7billion, a case for which they had paid for a surreptitious judgement to take over the governorship of Abia State so as to secure the immunity against the case. Instead, they are bent on tainting the image of our most performing Governor, using tax certificate forgery allegation as an escape route. This is however, a mission in futility as Abians and the general public know the truth and will always take their claims with a pinch of salt. This single allegation is a blatant lie and a gross misrepresentation of facts, baseless and nothing to loose sleep over This calls for the following questions; Wasn’t Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu a civil servant for many years before his ascension to the position of a Governor? If yes, it then deduced the fact that his taxes were deducted at source even before his pay pack was remitted to him.
How then did people come up with tax forgery brouhaha? Every right thinking fellow should know there is no room created for forgery ab initio. It therefore lies within the jurisdiction of our revered jurists at the courts to do the needful and reverse the kangaroo judgment. The whole world is waiting.
Abia is in the hands of God and God alone do we trust.
Newman Ubani is a concerned Abia youth in support for Justice and Equity. He wrote from Umuahia , the Abia State capital.
In their myopic and ignorance of the supreme being, they fail to realize that power belongs to God. They failed to realize that just like David, God had chosen and installed Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu to serve Abia people. The reason for their failure is not far fetched. While they failed to recognize their leaders as well be good followers, how can they be good leaders? They should first understand the nitty-gritty of leadership if they must be good leaders. These notorious individuals want to clinch to power and use it to expand their business empires and thus feather their nest from the State’s treasury. It’s is a well known fact that their misgivings against governor Ikpeazu is that he failed to tow the path of other politicians who used their state’s commonwealth to dole out to some individuals who are bent on milking the states dry to the detriment of the poor masses who are in dare need of development in the states. Governor Ikpeazu’s refusal to service the bank accounts of political God-fathers to the detriment of the generality of Abians has left them to lick their sore wounds.
That notwithstanding, the the sun must continue to shine. Hence the numerous awards and commendations of the Governor in his kitty just in one year in office. The ICPC even commended governor Ikpeazu for using the state’s share of its bailout fund judiciously and the real purpose it was meant for. Rather than using allegations and falsehood to hookwink the general public, these disgruntled elements should face their prosecution by the EFCC on the case they were indicted of having defrauded Nigeria the sum of N2.7billion, a case for which they had paid for a surreptitious judgement to take over the governorship of Abia State so as to secure the immunity against the case. Instead, they are bent on tainting the image of our most performing Governor, using tax certificate forgery allegation as an escape route. This is however, a mission in futility as Abians and the general public know the truth and will always take their claims with a pinch of salt. This single allegation is a blatant lie and a gross misrepresentation of facts, baseless and nothing to loose sleep over This calls for the following questions; Wasn’t Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu a civil servant for many years before his ascension to the position of a Governor? If yes, it then deduced the fact that his taxes were deducted at source even before his pay pack was remitted to him.
How then did people come up with tax forgery brouhaha? Every right thinking fellow should know there is no room created for forgery ab initio. It therefore lies within the jurisdiction of our revered jurists at the courts to do the needful and reverse the kangaroo judgment. The whole world is waiting.
Abia is in the hands of God and God alone do we trust.
Newman Ubani is a concerned Abia youth in support for Justice and Equity. He wrote from Umuahia , the Abia State capital.
By Newman Ubani
Over the last few days, the news tabloids are awash with negative
headlines concerning God’s own state; Abia.
These recent happenings revealed the evil plans of some self-seeking
politicians to destabilize the developmental strides, peace and decorum
enjoyed in Abia State, using the judiciary to rubber-stamp their
devilish plot of dethroning the government of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/plot-by-ikpeazus-detractors-to-hijack-abia-state-government-house/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/plot-by-ikpeazus-detractors-to-hijack-abia-state-government-house/
Over the last few days,
the news tabloids are awash with negative headlines concerning God’s
own state; Abia.
These recent happenings revealed the evil plans of some self-seeking
politicians to destabilize the developmental strides, peace and decorum
enjoyed in Abia State, using the judiciary to rubber-stamp their
devilish plot of dethroning the government of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/plot-by-ikpeazus-detractors-to-hijack-abia-state-government-house/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/plot-by-ikpeazus-detractors-to-hijack-abia-state-government-house/
Over the last few days,
the news tabloids are awash with negative headlines concerning God’s
own state; Abia.
These recent happenings revealed the evil plans of some self-seeking
politicians to destabilize the developmental strides, peace and decorum
enjoyed in Abia State, using the judiciary to rubber-stamp their
devilish plot of dethroning the government of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/plot-by-ikpeazus-detractors-to-hijack-abia-state-government-house/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/plot-by-ikpeazus-detractors-to-hijack-abia-state-government-house/
Over the last few days, the news tabloids are awash with negative
headlines concerning God’s own state; Abia.
These recent happenings revealed the evil plans of some self-seeking
politicians to destabilize the developmental strides, peace and decorum
enjoyed in Abia State, using the judiciary to rubber-stamp their
devilish plot of dethroning the government of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Ikpeazu and Ogah
Ikpeazu and Ogah
In their myopic and ignorance of the supreme being, they fail to realize
that power belongs to God. They failed to realize that just like David,
God had chosen and installed Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu to serve
Abia people.
The reason for their failure is not far fetched. While they failed to
recognize their leaders as well be good followers, how can they be good
leaders? They should first understand the nitty-gritty of leadership if
they must be good leaders. These notorious individuals want to clinch to
power and use it to expand their business empires and thus feather
their nest from the State’s treasury.
It’s is a well known fact that their misgivings against governor Ikpeazu
is that he failed to tow the path of other politicians who used their
state’s commonwealth to dole out to some individuals who are bent on
milking the states dry to the detriment of the poor masses who are in
dare need of development in the states.
Governor Ikpeazu’s refusal to service the bank accounts of political
God-fathers to the detriment of the generality of Abians has left them
to lick their sore wounds.
That notwithstanding, the the sun must continue to shine. Hence the
numerous awards and commendations of the Governor in his kitty just in
one year in office. The ICPC even commended governor Ikpeazu for using
the state’s share of its bailout fund judiciously and the real purpose
it was meant for.
Rather than using allegations and falsehood to hookwink the general
public, these disgruntled elements should face their prosecution by the
EFCC on the case they were indicted of having defrauded Nigeria the sum
of N2.7billion, a case for which they had paid for a surreptitious
judgement to take over the governorship of Abia State so as to secure
the immunity against the case.
Instead, they are bent on tainting the image of our most performing
Governor, using tax certificate forgery allegation as an escape route.
This is however, a mission in futility as Abians and the general public
know the truth and will always take their claims with a pinch of salt.
This single allegation is a blatant lie and a gross misrepresentation of
facts, baseless and nothing to loose sleep over
This calls for the following questions;
Wasn’t Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu a civil servant for many years before his
ascension to the position of a Governor? If yes, it then deduced the
fact that his taxes were deducted at source even before his pay pack was
remitted to him.
How then did people come up with tax forgery brouhaha? Every right
thinking fellow should know there is no room created for forgery ab
initio. It therefore lies within the jurisdiction of our revered jurists
at the courts to do the needful and reverse the kangaroo judgment. The
whole world is waiting.
Abia is in the hands of God and God alone do we trust.
Newman Ubani is a concerned Abia youth in support for Justice and
Equity. He wrote from Umuahia , the Abia State capital.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/plot-by-ikpeazus-detractors-to-hijack-abia-state-government-house/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/plot-by-ikpeazus-detractors-to-hijack-abia-state-government-house/
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