Ayodeji Ayenuwa
Muhammad Nami, the former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has categorically denied allegations of approving a controversial 11 billion naira deal shortly before leaving his position.
These allegations first arose in The Cable’s report, which suggested that he approved ‘suspicious’ payments just two days after his removal from office on September 14, when he was succeeded by Zacchaeus Adedeji.
These accusations, have been met with a resolute denial from Nami.
“I want to categorically state that after my exit as FIRS Executive Chairman, I made no such approvals as claimed in the report,” Nami stated.
The former Executive Chairman of FIRS took to social media to address the allegations, describing them as “mischievous” and filled with “mischief and misinformation.”
He clarified that no payments were made by the service following the commencement of his pre-retirement leave.
The FIRS’s payment approval process, Nami explained, involves multiple steps, including a thorough review and validation by the new Executive Chairman.
He also highlighted that the majority of the 11 billion naira in question was part of the 16-billion-naira outstanding commitments detailed in the FIRS handover notes.
Regarding the transfer of 5 billion naira to the Joint Tax Board, Nami clarified that this fund was intended to support the activities of the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms, and it was executed with the explicit authorization of his successor, Zacch Adedeji.
In response to The Cable’s report, Nami expressed his disappointment, urging the media outlet to exercise greater diligence in verifying claims from credible sources before disseminating information.
“It is disappointing to see the Cable, a revered online newspaper, attempt to sensationalize events that took place in the ordinary course of my work in office,” Nami remarked, emphasizing the need for responsible journalism.
Nami went further to emphasize the transparency of his actions during his tenure, asserting, “I want to categorically state that every decision I made within the time of my stay in office was within the ambit of the law and within the lawful powers I exercised then as Executive Chairman.”
Techrectory with Agency Report.
