Business and Economy
Guaranty Trust Bank Swims in IGR Controversy as Forensic Auditor Petitions EFCC
By NGIJ team of Oluwasegun Abifarin and Olawale Abideen
Guaranty Trust Bank plc prides itself as the foremost “Financial Institution built on a foundation of excellence, professionalism and best practices
Its Orange rule philosophy is also anchored on “Professionalism, Service, Friendliness, Excellence, and Trustworthiness. googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
But recent development is threatening the bank’s virtue and reputation which has produced ₦3.287Trillion asset base and ₦575.6Billion Shareholders Fund
According to the documents received by the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists, NGIJ, on the 29th December, 2016, Ori Adeyemo and Co, a Forensic Accounting Consultancy firm based in Lagos was engaged by the Nasarawa State Board of Internal Revenue to assist in the improvement of Internally-Generated-Revenue (IGR) base of excess bank charges, high network individuals, withholding tax on dividends and interest and deposits against banks operating in the State from 29/05/1999 and for an initial period of 4 years based on the firm’s proposal.
In his petition to the EFCC, obtained by the NGIJ team, Adeyemo maintained that at the end the forensic investigation, he was able to establish total final and conclusive liability of N249, 867,971.47 against GTBank out of a total of N3, 632,677,464.41 against 12 banks operating in the state.
From the total figure, a sum of N762, 862,267.53 representing 20% agreed commission (including 5% Value-Added-Tax) is due and payable to us within 7 days upon the receipt of said 16/09/2019 earlier demand letter served on the State Governor.
According to him, before commencement of work, the firm was introduced to the Nasarawa State Government by the duo of Mr. Charles Osuji (aka Kenneth Zuofa) and Mr. Edmond Ogbonna
Despite this, the Nasarawa State Government insisted that the firm should instead, deal with its own official facilitators and middlemen, namely Mr. Edmond Ogbonna of Tarindy Concept International Ltd. of 2, Hunkuyi Street, off Jesse Street, Asokoro, Abuja FCT and Mr. Charles Osuji (aka Kenneth Zuofa) of Ice R Us Integrated Global Service Ltd. of 4, Samota Faola Street, Ikeja, Lagos, which was complied with.
The deal however went sour after completion of works as Adeyemo alleged that the state officials and their middlemen have entered a new deal with some of the banks to shortchange the whole exercise.
Adeyemo further alleged he was reliably informed that the Board had given clean bill of health and letters of non-indebtedness to the said compromised concerned banks.
The petitioner also included a compact disk (CD) detailing all completed jobs in intellectual properties as so far executed by the consultant for the Niger State Government enabling it to demand for an additional but unpaid N732,143,601.52 commission sum.
Guaranty Trust bank has also been dressed in similar robe in Niger state where it was accused of withholding N21, 013,850.30 due to the state.
“We humbly request that this matter be expeditiously investigated and if the said suspects are found culpable, be charged to a Court of competent jurisdiction in order to serve as a deterrent to others that may want to emulate their nefarious and despicable acts of impunity and reckless abandon,” Adeyemo told EFCC.
Oyinade Ogunade, GTB Head of Corporate Communication could not respond to text messages and whatsApp messages sent to her for further clarification or the position of the bank as regards the allegation of “shortchanging” the states. After series of calls by NGIJ Investigative Journalists, she eventually responded last week Friday that she was in a clinic and that she will call back later which she never did till today.
Author Profile
- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Business and Economy
Kogi GOBO Initiative Empowers Petty Traders in Kabba Central Market, Reinforces Support for Governor Ododo
By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
The Kogi Forum of Senior Special Assistants (KFSSA) and leaders of the Governor Ododo Business Outreach (GOBO) today 22-11-2024 visited Kabba Central Market to empower local traders and engage community leaders.
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Led by Hon. Yahaya Shehu Ahmed, Chairman and Director General of GOBO, the delegation began their activities with a courtesy visit to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi. The traditional ruler commended the initiative and the foresight of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in appointing competent individuals dedicated to improving the lives of citizens.
The team then visited the official residence of the Executive Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael. He expressed his appreciation for the efforts of KFSSA and GOBO, noting that the outreach was a commendable step toward bridging the gap between government appointees and the grassroots.
At Kabba Central Market, the GOBO team provided direct financial support to 20 petty traders, including sellers of berneseed, tomatoes, and roasted plantains. Each beneficiary received 50,000 naira to expand their businesses. The gesture aimed to improve the economic situation of the traders and inspire confidence in the government’s dedication to addressing the needs of ordinary citizens.
The initiative also included plans to monitor the progress of the beneficiaries, ensuring that the financial assistance achieves its intended purpose. Hon. Femi Esemikose and Hon. Augustine Egbebi were tasked with following up on the traders’ activities.
The success of the Kabba-Bunu outreach is expected to serve as a model for similar initiatives in other parts of Kogi West Senatorial District and the state. As the GOBO program continues to expand, more communities will benefit from its efforts to empower individuals and enhance economic development.
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Business and Economy
Naira appreciates N28.85 against dollar at official market
The Naira on Thursday, November 21st, 2024 appreciated at the official market trading at N1,658.67 against the dollar.
Data from the official trading platform of the FMDQ Exchange, revealed that the Naira gained N28.
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This represents a 1.7 per cent gain, compared to the previous trading date on Wednesday when it exchanged at N1,687.52 to a dollar.
However, the total daily turnover reduced to 163.66 million dollars on Thursday, down from to 173.29 million dollars recorded on Wednesday.
At the Investor’s and Exporter’s (I&E) window, the Naira traded between N1,707.50 and N1,631.00 against the dollar.
Source: NAN
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Business and Economy
Governor Ododo Endorses GOBO Initiative, Empowering Small-Scale Entrepreneurs and Vulnerable Populations
By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo has thrown his weight behind the Governor Ododo Business Outreach (GOBO) initiative, a program aimed at uplifting marginalized groups and providing economic opportunities at the community level.
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During a strategic meeting with the Kogi State Forum of Senior Special Assistants in his office on 06-11-2024, the Governor expressed his support for GOBO, which aligns with his vision of inclusive governance.
Launched on October 31, 2024, GOBO has already shown positive impact, with increased visibility and support among petty traders and small businesses. The initiative provides sustainable business avenues for those previously lacking access to financial resources and market opportunities.
Hon. Yahaya Shehu Ahmed, Chairman of the Kogi State Forum of Senior Special Assistants, thanked the Governor for his encouragement and support.
The Governor commended the forum’s dedication to GOBO and its commitment to improving citizens’ quality of life, assuring continued support and encouraging ways to deepen GOBO’s impact across the state.
The forum also presented an award of excellence to former Governor Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, recognizing his contributions to the state’s growth and effective governance , particularly the choice of Gov Ododo and his Deputy.
This development is consistent with research highlighting the importance of government support for entrepreneurship development in Kogi State.
Shehu noted that Small and medium-scale enterprises have significantly contributed to the state’s economic growth, stressing that the GOBO initiative demonstrates the power of grassroots-driven solutions and inclusive growth, marking a step towards sustainable development in Kogi State.
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