NLC opposes new policy on Customs duty

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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA — THE leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, weekend, condemned the new policy of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, which directed all motor dealers and private vehicle owners, whose customs duty were not paid to do so before April 12, 2017, describing such directive as unrealistic.

The National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said in a letter addressed to the Comptroller-General of Customs, NCS, Colonel Hameed Ali (retd), said the policy was self-serving, to enrich some “unscrupulous personnel” of the service.

Comrade Wabba in the letter dated March 7, 2017, said instead of coming up with a policy that would be difficult to implement, the NCS should devise a coherent response that will deal with the myriads of challenges facing the service, including porous borders and extortion on the roads.

The letter read: “Our attention has been drawn to a press statement dated Tuesday, March 2, 2017 and signed by Mr. Joseph Attah, Acting Public Relations Officer on behalf of the Comptroller-General directing ‘all motor dealers and private owners’ of vehicles ‘whose customs duty has not been paid, to do so,’ between Monday, March 13 and Wednesday, April 12, 2017, as ‘there will be an aggressive anti-smuggling operation to seize as well as prosecute owners of such smuggled vehicles after the deadline of Wednesday 12th  of April 2017.’

“The statement accordingly, directed vehicle owners to Customs zonal offices in Lagos, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Bauchi to have their vehicles certified, if Customs duty has been paid on them.

“We are all aware that one of the statutory functions of the Nigeria Customs Service is to collect tax on behalf of the government, often times in the form of duty on vehicles.

“The citizenry, both corporate and non-corporate, as part of their civic and commercial responsibilities, are expected to pay appropriate duties on their vehicles as demanded by the law.

“Sadly, some, out of irresponsibility or sheer criminality, devise ways and means of evading this responsibility. For instance, some take measures as desperate as “flying” their vehicles into the country, thus denying government the needed revenue.”

“We strongly hold the view that those who break the law or seek to break the law should be sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others. The need to enforce tax laws in our country is all the more necessary because of Social Justice and other dwindling revenue sources.

“Our support for the Nigerian Customs Service is therefore not in doubt. If anything, the Customs should be encouraged to do their work well.

“However, we are opposed to this new policy.  It is logistically-callous and will create unimaginable chaos and suffering for innocent vehicle end-users.

“It is self-serving and will in the end enrich unscrupulous Customs personnel who contributed in no small to the present situation through acts of commission or omission. It will amount to rewarding their complicity.

“It is common knowledge that duties on imported vehicles are payable at the point of entry. Subjecting vehicle end-users to this kind of trauma, majorly of whom have no hand in the importation of their vehicles, is unfair and unacceptable.

“There is no information on the vehicles to be excluded from this exercise. This presupposes that the owner of a Morris Minor or a Peugeot 404 brought into this country in the 70’s is similarly affected.

 

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DSS invitation in order, says Suleman (Read full details)

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President, Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnson Suleiman addressing journalists  on his way to honour an invitation of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja …yesterday. PHOTO: LUCY LADIDI ELUKPO.

The President, Omega FireMinistries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has said that his invitation by the Department of State Services (DSS) is in order.

Suleman said this while briefing newsmen in Abuja yesterday.“I presume the right thing was done. They have been in touch with me to come and that is why I am in Abuja, so that I can see them,” he said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he said his recent statement was based on information from a reliable source that herdsmen were coming to attack him. 
He said that he stood by his statement on self defence.

Suleman had told his supporters at a religious crusade in Ekiti recently to defend themselves if they were attacked by herdsmen.Security around the former State House Annex office of the Department of State Services (DSS), Abuja was beefed up yesterday.

As at 11:30 am yesterday, there was no sign of the Apostle entering the DSS office, but unconfirmed sources said he was already inside, having been picked from a location into the office in a different vehicle.

Though the DSS Spokesman, Tony Opiuyo, has remained inaccessible nor issued a statement to the effect, a source familiar with the Service told The Guardian that the pastor had answered the invitation as requested and is cooperating with interrogators.

rity presence, the source said “it was to forestall any act that would lead to a breakdown of law and order, because we gathered that some misguided elements were at the Unity fountain in Maitama to rent a crowd to foment
trouble.’’

Annex office of the Department of State Services(DSS), Abuja was beefed up yesterday.From the entrance of the Maitama Avenue through the Circular Road that encloses the Three Arms Zone, armed stern-looking soldiers, policemen and masked DSS operatives lined the streets

The Omega Fire founder Apostle Johnson Suleiman was formally invited to the DSS headquarters to answer questions bothering on alleged inciting
instructions he gave to his congregation during a church service that suggests ethno-religious intolerance.

As at 11:30 am yesterday, there was no sign of the Apostle entering the DSS office, but unconfirmed sources said he was already inside, picked from a location into the office in a different vehicle.

Though the DSS Spokesman, Tony Opiuyo, has remained inaccessible nor has he issued a statement to the effect, a source familiar with the Service told
The Guardian that the pastor had answered the invitation as requested and is cooperating with interrogators.

Asked why the heavy security presence, the source said “it was to forestall any act that would lead to a breakdown of law and order, because we gathered that some misguided elements were at the Unity fountain in Maitama to rent a crowd to forment
trouble.’’

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Court hears alleged breach of contract suit May 9 (Read full details)

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Justice Femi Adeniyi of an Ikeja, Lagos High Court has fixed May 9, 2017 for further hearing in a suit filed by Omega City Ventures Limited, Oshomak Ventures Limited and Steel Works Limited against the Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of Sifax Group Nigeria Limited, Dr. Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi and his company for alleged breach of contract.

The presiding judge fixed the date after the claimants closed its case for the defendants to open theirs
The claimants, in the suit, are praying for an order of the court for “immediate and unconditional payment of N90 million by the respondents to the first claimant being the 10 per cent commission of N900 million purchase price in respect of service rendered to the defendants as estate agents in getting the defendants the property formerly known as plots 5 and 6 but now known as No 212, Moshood Abiola Way, Ijora measuring approximately 13,800 square metres.”

In the writ of summons, the plaintiffs claim‎ed that they were into real estate, property development and general contracts duly incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

They claimed that the first defendant sometime ago sought to buy the property at Ijora, Ebutte-Metta and Surule‎re axis of the state for business purposes which the claimants reportedly executed.

The claimants averred that the “ third claimant ‎got the property and introduced to the second defendant, who in turn, linked and introduced the said property to the first claimant who has direct link with the defendants. The first claimant introduced the property to the defendants via her letter of 28th July 2014 titled, Steel Fabricatior For Sale.

“The first claimant did not only introduce and describe the property to the defendant but also attached all necessary title documents which included but not limited to governor’s consent registered as no 76, page 76 volume 2083 and dated 17/7/2003.

“The claimant made it clear to the defendant that she will be collecting a professional fee of 10 per cent of the purchase price of the property to which the defendant till date never disputed. The claimant hereby pleaded the said letter of 28th July 2014 which was received and acknowledged by the defendant on July 30, 2014.”

The claimants subsequently prayed the court to order the defendants to pay N50 million general damages for the stress, trauma and the untold hardship suffered by them.

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Osinbajo implores judiciary to embrace speedy trial system (Read full details)

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Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo

Canvasses punishment for delay in dispensation of justice

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has urged the judiciary to embrace a day-to-day system of trial and introduce significant costs and punishment for delays that are associated with lateness, ill-preparedness or deliberate tactics aim at stalling cases.

This, he said, was a major challenge in the administration of justice that must be jointly tackled by all relevant stakeholders in the sector.He also urged judges, lawyers and others to change their attitudes and stand up for what is right.

Osinbajo stated this at the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ summit organised by Lagos State Ministry of Justice.The Acting President, who spoke on the theme “Contemporary Trends: Catalysts for Justice Sector Reform in Lagos State, was represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

He said stakeholders in the administration of justice must begin to take the issue of delay more seriously. They must shun all forms of delay tactics, he said, adding: “Lagos State has a general reputation for trailblazing reforms in the justice sector and in many other sectors in Nigeria and beyond.

“The summit, which is aimed at further initiating reforms in conformity with modern trends, was another testament of the fact that the reputation of the state was being taken seriously by the current administration ably led by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.”

In the same vein, Ambode said for any nation to experience economic growth, it must first have a functional judicial system that would not only encourage local and foreign investors to invest in the state, but also guarantee conducive environment for such businesses to thrive.

The governor stated: “As a government, we are well aware that to achieve our socio-economic goals of a safer, secured, peaceful and more prosperous Lagos State, we need a functioning justice sector, which guarantees not only the maintenance of law and order, the enforcement of human rights and freedom, but also provides an administration of justice ambience that protects investments and encourages economic development.”

He stressed that one of the technologies being put in place is the Lagos State DNA laboratory to process evidence, which would serve as a powerful criminal justice tool in prosecuting the guilty and exonerating the innocent.

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Lionel Messi sets wedding date to marry his lovely partner, Antonella Rocuzzo

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Barcelona football star Lionel Messi,29, has fixed the date of his wedding to his childhood sweetheart and mother of his two kids, Antonella Rocuzzo, 28. According to various reports in Spanish and Argentine media, the football ace has fixed June 24, 2017 as the date he’ll wed Antonella in his hometown, Rosario.

However, the question on the lips of everyone in Argentina is if his rival, and World Footballer of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo will be invited, even though Ronaldo will be participating with Portugal in the Confederations Cup in Russia around Messi’s wedding time frame.

Messi is set to invite 600 guests to the wedding which has been tagged ‘Argentina’s biggest wedding’. This summer Messi’ll be free from national and club duties.

Leo Messi & Antonella Rocuzzo have two sons together: Thiago 4 years and Mateo Messi, 16 months.

Congrats to him!

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Why I went back to school to study law — KOK

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By Benjamin Njoku

Multiple award-winning actor, Kanayo.O.Kanayo who recently enrolled to study Law at the University of Abuja, after he bagged Masters degree from the University of Lagos, few years ago, has explained why he took the decision to go back to school.

In a brief chat with HVP, in Benin, recently, the veteran actor said, he decided to go back to school in order to prove those who believe that entertainers are not educated wrong. According to him, “Many people believe that we are not educated but I am here to prove them wrong.”

KOK, however, did not  shed more light on his law programme as he does not want to make it a public issue. But for whatever reason, the Imo State-born actor has paid his dues as far as the world of make-believe is concerned.

Alumni of the University of Lagos, KOK holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Philosophy and Masters Degree in Political Science from the same institution. He   hit the limelight after he acted Chief Omego in the pioneering movie ‘Living In Bondage’ ,  an instant hit that signalled a  new dawn in the Nigerian movie industry.

 

 

 

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Tornadoes get N.5m to beat Rangers

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Chairman of Niger Tornadoes, Adamu Aliyu, has challenged the players to beat defending champions Rangers international in tomorrow’s league tie and pocket N500,000 (Five hundred thousand Naira) already placed on the table.

Both Rangers and Tornadoes are heading into the match after what could pass for a good outing midweek with Tornadoes handing Wikki Tourist a 2-0 defeat while Rangers held Akwa United to a goalless draw away.

Tomorrow’s battle at the Cathedral will not be a tea party and will definitely be full of fireworks.   While the Flying Antelopes are working extremely hard to make the Cathedral a never lose arena, a motivated Tornadoes will definitely be on fire.

Tornadoes are not just playing for promise but believe in the chairman who backs words with action. Hon Adamu had earlier challenged the team to beat Wikki Tourist for N200, 000, and when they did he redeemed the sum while promising another.

Chidebere Blessing Ajoku’s brace, goal in each half was enough to deny the CAF Confederation Cup campaigners points at the Confluence Stadium Lokoja.

While addressing the players, Hon Aliyu noted that boosting the morale of the players was something that must be done in order to get best out of them, adding that player’s welfare remains paramount.

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