News

EFCC Arrests FIRS Director Over Tax Fraud

Published

9 years ago

January 29, 2016

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today, January 29, arrested Abumere Joseph Osagie, the deputy director, regional tax office of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over an alleged case of abuse of office and bribery, Sahara Reporters reports.
In a statement made available to the media outfit, Wilson Uwujaren, the head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC said Osagie was arrested following a complaint about his attempt to extort a University proprietor N5million.
It was learnt that Osagie and one Jamila Ojora had on January 27, 2016 allegedly approached Senator Ahmed Datti, the Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja and gave him a tax assessment of N20,029, 496.00 through a letter of intent, which he paid.
EFCC has arrested Abumere Joseph Osagie, deputy director regional tax office of the FIRS over an alleged case of abuse of office and bribery
This however was greeted with displease by Datti who requested for the assessment certificate which Osagie and Ojora refused to present to him.
Instead, the accused allegedly demanded for N5million gratification which prompted Datiti to petition the EFCC. He was however advised to play along.
Following the directive from the EFCC, Datti delivered the N5million to Osagie through Ojora in a sting operation. The FIRS director’s accomplice was arrested after she collected the N5m and her confession led to the arrest of Osagie.
It was further gathered that the documents showing the bribery scandal was recovered in the houses of the suspects after a thorough search by operatives of the EFCC.
However, the EFCC has declared it will continue to investigate the case.
Meanwhile, the federal government’s anti-corruption war has been extended to 81 government agencies.