Fowler in trouble as Presidency uncovers alleged diversion of FIRS’s N40bn as ‘2019 campaign fund’

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Fowler in trouble as Presidency uncovers alleged diversion of FIRS’s N40bn as ‘2019 campaign fund’

by Ibrahim Ramalan December 15, 2019

All is not well within the Presidency over alleged misappropriation of N40 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, under the immediate past Chairman, Babatunde Fowler.

Mr Fowler who was appointed to superintendent Nigeria’s apex tax office was replaced on December 9, 2019, by a tax consultant, Muhammad Nami.



Sources knowledgeable about the development told PRNigeria that the ‘misappropriated’ money, which was purportedly used as ‘political campaign fund’ during 2019 election, did not sit well with the ‘Seat of Power’ as the top principal stakeholder has ordered investigation and prosecution of culprits.

While Mr Fowler is said to be caught in the web of the said fund, top officials in the Presidency are said to be angry and unsatisfied with the explanations on how the fund was ‘shared,’ vowing to punish other collaborators, including a powerful figure within the same presidency.

Also connected to the N40 billion sharing bazaar was an influential and powerful political gladiator in the Southwest who was said to have received a ‘paltry’ sum of N3 billion, which is less than 10 percent of the ‘campaign fund.’

It was gathered that already, some top management staff of FIRS have been arrested and are being interrogated on corruption allegations by anti-graft agencies.

“Some senior FIRS staff, about nine of them who were arrested in connection with the money are being interrogated by an anti-corruption agency. Some are accused of being involved in a multi-billion naira fraudulent actions and contract awards.



“This is added to the extravagant lifestyle of these stooges and aides, poor governance structure, audit reports and general mismanagement at FIRS,” a source within the Presidency claimed.

Recall that in August 8, the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, had queried Mr Fowler for what the Presidency considered as unacceptably dwindling tax revenue since 2015 when the Buhari administration took over the country’s helm of governance.

Mr Kyari, in the query letter, ordered Mr Fowler to explain why in 2015, FIRS set N4.7 trillion target but was only able to make N3.7 trillion in the actual collection.

Also, in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the target collections were N4.2 trillion, N4.8 trillion and N6.7 trillion but the actual collections were N3.3 trillion, N4.0 trillion and N5.3 trillion, respectively.



“…you are kindly invited to submit a comprehensive variance analysis explaining the reasons for the variances between the budgeted collections and actual collections for each main tax item for each of the years 2015 to 2018,” Mr Kyari demanded in the letter.

But Mr Fowler, in his response, defended the performance of FIRS under him, attributing the fall in revenue generation to the state of the economy within the years under review.

According to him, the fall in crude oil production is one of the factors responsible for the low revenue generated.

However, apparently not satisfied by Mr Fowler’s defence, President Buhari in his October 1, 2019 Independence Anniversary Speech, said: “Our revenue-generating and reporting agencies will come under much greater scrutiny.



“Going forward, as the new performance management framework will reward exceptional revenue performance, while severe consequences will attend failures to achieve agreed revenue targets.”

Also, roping Mr Fowler and his benefactors into the quagmire, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Timi Frank had once alleged that the travails of the Vice president and Mr Fowler were due to corruption and have nothing to do with 2023 politics.

According to Mr Frank, the vice-president was being persecuted for alleged mismanagement of about N90 billion released by FIRS to prosecute the last general elections in favour of the APC.



But this allegation was quickly dismissed by FIRS, saying it did not make N90 billion available to Vice-President for the 2019 election campaign.



But PRNigeria gathered that these allegations which are still being investigated combined to stack up against Mr Fowler whose fate was officially sealed by Mr Buhari on December 9.

“Mind you, Fowler’s sack has not closed this chapter. Expect more casualties as more revelations are unraveled. More heads may roll including very top figures who are already roped in and cornered by the scandals,” the source said.

https://dailynigerian.com/fowler-in-trouble-as-presidency-uncovers-alleged-diversion-of-firss-n40bn-as-2019-campaign-fund/

Yawn

They set trap for them and they fall deep down down......
Kekekekeeke

And history will soon repeat itself

Oleeeeee!!! Fowler oleeeeee!!!!
Why am I not surprised, after all he is Tinubu's boy. Very soon we will discover the source of the two bullion vans that sufficed on the eve of 2019 elections.

Any correlation between the alleged 40bn and

which head never steal for Nigeria?

so in a country of 160million+ we can't found a man that serve the public without embezzling fund..

I mean ,how do these guy reason having billion in their bank while poverty ravage their constituency....

Now ,a section will see this as a witch hunt ,while some will think its cool not of its averse to corruption but base on the political divide it stand......

Oh Nigeria, bless but lacking

They will use and dump you. We warned them but they wouldn't listen.

Yoruba thief! Na tinubu send am,dem wan load am inside bullion van. Crooks

powerhouse3:
which head never steal for Nigeria?

so in a country of 160million+ we can't found a man that serve the public without embezzling fund..

I mean ,how do these guy reason having billion in their bank while poverty ravage their constituency....

Now ,a section will see this as a witch hunt ,while some will think its cool not of its averse to corruption but base on the political divide it stand......

Oh Nigeria, bless but lacking

Keep shouting! Nigeria is dead!
Stupid country!

Its propaganda, Fowler is too innocent to steal

Lol...

I am curious as to why the vice principal has not taken action on his promise to institute legal action against TF...

Ghen Ghen Ghen...

Osunbande be like, which Kain wahala be this o..

Interesting days ahead.

Allah will see us through in Lagos as our son fowl becomes a scapegoat to yellowteeth bourdillon show ,

Alhaja Charlotteflair where are you?

Allah save us ooo

The systematic clipping off of the SW power block(even if allegation eventually turns untrue) continues.I guess Tinubu/Osinbajo will remain silient as usual.

The core northern Nigeria are really smart. Nobody hears of their own corruption even in the same govt but they've demonized Fowler,Eyo-Ita, Obono-Obla, Kemi Adeosum, Justice-Onneghen etc even if they're corrupt & replaced them with their own caste in case of "use and dump" Southerners wake up.

Rekhina:
Allah will see us through in Lagos as our son fowl becomes a scapegoat to yellowteeth bourdillon show ,

Alhaja Charlotteflair where are you?

I'm here. Fowler (SAWT) has disgraced us. We didn't send him to Abuja to steal for us. This is why Sharia law must come to SW quickly.

CharlotteFlair:
I'm here. Fowler (SAWT) has disgraced us. We didn't send him to Abuja to steal for us. This is why Sharia law must come to SW quickly.

According to MURIC.

ivandragon:
Lol...

I am curious as to why the vice principal has not taken action on his promise to institute legal action against TF...

That was just audio litigation. So you fell for it?

Maxymilliano:
Fowler in trouble as Presidency uncovers alleged diversion of FIRS’s N40bn as ‘2019 campaign fund’




https://dailynigerian.com/fowler-in-trouble-as-presidency-uncovers-alleged-diversion-of-firss-n40bn-as-2019-campaign-fund/

They've been used, now its time to rope them by cutting their wings. The Fulani's are naturally good in using power, they don't need to go to school. The presidency was very aware when all these were going on in their favour, but in politics the floor is very sloppy so its very good to trend carefully. Since they do the crime, let them do the time. The Yoruba's are far from learning their lessons, the build up to 2023 is to cut some wings especially when gladiators knows that some kind of alliance is building and only financial gladiators can superhead it.

Racoon:

According to MURIC.

. Yessoo..

Evil people have taken over our nation - Aisha buhari

xtivin2:

They've been used, now its time to rope them by cutting their wings. The Fulani's are naturally good in using power, they don't need to go to school. The presidency was very aware when all these were going on in their favour, but in politics the floor is very sloppy so its very good to trend carefully. Since they do the crime, let them do the time. The Yoruba's are far from learning their lessons, the build up to 2023 is to cut some wings especially when gladiators knows that some kind of alliance is building and only financial gladiators can superhead it.

My fellow Yoruba mooslims are coming for your flat head.

Shots fired!!!




Where is BMC SW?

Itsme01, sarrki, Simplyleo, omenkalives, , NGpatriot, omoslim26, buhariguy, seunmsg, stalwert.

CharlotteFlair:
I'm here. Fowler (SAWT) has disgraced us. We didn't send him to Abuja to steal for us. This is why Sharia law must come to SW quickly.

Laila Allah yaya nasuru hamzat

May Allah deliver him , cos we Moslems don't steal nor support stealing even 4 Muhammed(swt) ,Allah nasiru ilailahu insha allah

Atleast am certain many people would die in prison when Social media bill is passed

when kalu was using Sun Newspaper and Igbere TV to run his mouth Tinubu kept quite now we know where kalu is

..

Ipob nd Nnamdi Kalu propaganda... Our son Fowler did not steal, he only took #40 billion to Tinubu 4 safe keeping so that snakes nd monkey won't swallow it

Rekhina:
Laila Allah yaya nasuru hamzat

May Allah deliver him , cos we Moslems don't steal nor support stealing even 4 Muhammed(swt) ,Allah nasiru ilailahu insha allah

Aslaam rasul raafiu Insha Allah!

CharlotteFlair:
Ghen Ghen Ghen...

Osunbande we see your hand inside o..

Interesting days ahead.

U again?

@ Rekhina don't join her she is of Islamic sect

solmusdesigns:




Atleast am certain many people would die in prison when Social media bill is passed



..

Ahh you are here already.

We yoruba mooslims will not support any thief even it was the caliphate.

AnalQueenluci:





U again?

@ Rekhina don't join her she is of Islamic sect

Insha Allah Rekhina (PUBH) is a devout mooslim ummah who hates corruption to the least. Fowler is on his own.

AnalQueenluci:





U again?

@ Rekhina don't join her she is of Islamic sect

Don't confuse urself major ,she is a good Moslem sent by Allah himself! hahahaha

It was reported N90bn few months ago, now it's N40bn. Wailers are not consistence with their midday news