News
You lack powers to collect revenues on behalf of FCT Area Councils, group tells Wike
The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy has kicked against the moves by the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT -IRS) to collect all revenues on behalf of the six Area Councils of the FCT in 2025.
The group in a statement maintained that the move to collect taxes on behalf of the Area Councils is unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful.
In the statement released on Tuesday in Abuja by its Head, Legal Unit, Mr Kalu Agu Kalu, the group clarified that the FCT – IRS ACT, 2015 limits the powers of the service to collect revenues to the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
“For the purposes of clarity and emphasis, the Six Area Council are not departments of Federal Capital Territory Administration, but a 3rd tier of Government, constitutionally enshrined and established, and whose functions and powers are delineated by the same Constitution.
“While the Supreme Court had granted autonomy to Area council / local government, it is laughable that Mr. Michael Ango, the Acting Chairman of the FCT – IRS seeks to undermine the pronouncement of the Supreme Court by usurping the powers and functions of the of the Area council, with a total disregard to the Constitution and the law”, the group said.
The acting chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT -IRS) Mr Michael Ango had announced at the 2024 end of year media briefing in Abuja, that FCT-IRS will be responsible for the collection of all revenues on behalf of the six area councils of the FCT in 2025.
Ango said that the goal was to ease compliance by taxpayers in the FCT and improve transparency and accountability for all revenue collection.
He said that a similar arrangement was being worked out with the various Secretariats, Departments and Agencies in the FCT Administration.
He explained that the decision was in compliance with the directive of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
But while reacting to the announcement, the Advocacy Group said “There is no provision in the FCT – IRS that empowers the FCT – IRS to collect revenues on behalf of the six Area Councils on the “directive” of the “Almighty Wike”
“Maybe Mr. Michael Ango does not know that all the revenues he intends to collect on behalf of the six Area Councils on the “directive” of the “Almighty Wike” are functions of the provisions of the Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered), which were undoubtedly donated to the six Area Councils, but we must forgive him because he is ignorant.
“May we, at this juncture, advert the attention of the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT – IRS to Section 2 of the Taxes and Levies (approved list for collection) Act, LFN, 2004, which makes the collection of revenue by an unauthorized persons as a criminal offence.
“The said Taxes and Levies Act clearly sets clear boundaries on revenues the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT – IRS and his Almighty Wike should collect and should not in any guise dive into other revenue collection not donated to the Federal Capital Territory.
“Let us also use this medium to place it on record that the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy had already filed a civil suit against the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking injunctive reliefs against the FCT – IRS from collecting any revenue on behalf of the six Area Councils.
“Since this matter is sub-judice, Mr. Michael Ango, the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT – IRS should respect the law and maintain STATUS QUO pending the hearing and determination of the said case.
If Mr. Michael Ango thinks otherwise, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy shall only be left with the option commencing a private criminal prosecution against Mr. Michael Ango for collecting revenue which the law does not support,” the group said.
The group pointed out that it is their responsibility to educate the business community in the Federal Capital Territory to disregard the press statement by the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT – IRS on his purported plans to take over collection of revenues constitutionally donated to the six Area Councils as such plans are not only unconstitutional, it is also unlawful, illegal and criminal.
It warned that anyone paying revenue meant for the Area Councils to the FCT IRS is doing so at his or her peril and should be ready to pay the Area Councils when they come for the collection of their revenues.
“Let us all unite against any unlawful policy of the government aimed at destroying the institutions that bind us together,” Kalu urged.
Ango had also claimed among others, that the FCT-IRS would upon collection of revenues on behalf of the Area Councils disburse to them in their various accounts.
The FCT-IRS boss further said that the service would also focus on harmonisation of revenue administration in the FCT from 2025.
“We will also have one central revenue reporting point to ensure better transparency and accountability for revenues collected,” he said.
Amid the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly has told both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the police that Nigerians are keenly watching their actions.
This came amid viral video of some politicians in the Kogi State mass-signing signatures purported to be that of the Senator’s constituents.
It was gathered that the Senator has already petitioned the police over the development.
However, addressing journalists on Tuesday, the National President of Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly, Shuaibu Usman, accused the INEC of always compromising the electoral process in Kogi State.
Usman, who recalled how results of the last governorship election in the state emerged even before the exercise commenced, urged the commission to redeem itself.
He said, “Kogi parades as a worst example when it comes to INEC conduct of election in Nigeria. We have not forgotten how many credible organisations, including Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm of the electoral heist that went on during the last guber election in that state.
“So, INEC has been notorious for providing a thriving ground for politicians in Kogi State to mess up the country’s electoral system.
“The same people are at it again, this time hiding under the guise of a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. With their Kogi magic, they quickly manufactured over 250,000 signatures, whereas the entire voters during the main election stood at 120,000.
“One need not be a suitsayer to know that these are the same elements who are known to be chronic election riggers, with INEC as their enablers.
“However, we must caution the INEC that this should not be business as usual; this is beyond Kogi State, so Nigerians are watching.
“We were taken aback when the INEC after announcing that the petition did not meet its requirements, returned a day after to tell Nigerians that the same petitioners have met the requirements- what a quick fix!
“The INEC must not kowtow to the whims and caprices of desperate political elements in Kogi State, as this will be resisted by Nigerians.”
Similarly, the apex Igbo group also urged the police to ensure that all those in forging the signatures of Senator Natasha’s constituents were brought to book.
According to the group, the viral videos showed known faces in Kogi State, wondering why the police were yet to effect any arrest.
“By now, we had expected that some of the perpetrators should be cooling their heels in custody or having their days in court, but it is yet to happen.
“There should be no room for compromise, the culprits, no matter how highly placed, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“We urge that the police should engage forensic experts to analyze those signatures before the INEC takes any further step in the said petition,” Usman further stated.
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), to halt what it called unjust persecution of socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, OFR
This is also as the group faulted the manner of the raid carried out by the commission on the socialite’s residential house in Abuja.
It could be recalled that a video went viral, which showed officials of the commission, reportedly in the family home of the Achimugus.
This came after she was declared wanted by the EFCC.
Her 80-year-old mother was also said to have been forced to sit on the bare floor, tortured and refused to give her water when she pleaded for it
In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, described the action of the EFCC for declaring the national honour’s recipient wanted barely some days after she was invited by the commission as gross
Okwu said enquiry by the Igbo group showed that some days after Achimugu was informed of the invitation by her lawyer, the commission rushed to the media declaring her wanted even when their letter in the public domain stated that everything accused her of is ALLEGEDLY and she is presently not in the country
“This development clearly smarks of a premeditated agenda to embarrass and discredit her personality. What else could justify the haste for an alleged crime to warrant being declared wanted just some days after she was invited by the commission?
“Mrs Achimugu is a global figure, not a politician and a national honours recipient, as well as a recipient of the US President’s award. This calibre of a person can never go under hiding.
“The fact that she is currently out of the country when the EFCC extended an invitation to her does not warrant their hasty declaration on alleged case without a competent court sanctioning such action.
“This is utterly reprehensible, and we urge that the EFCC should not continue to be used as a tool for political witch-hunting.
“Mrs Achimugu is an established, decent, and well to do businesswoman who respects the laws and humanity and from a respected family. Her source of wealth has never been a source of controversy or hidden.
“We want to declare that her rights should be respected; her contributions to the growth of citizens and the nation should not be ignored. The EFCC should withdraw the wanted tag on her.
While quoting Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Section 36 of the Nigerian Police Act, the Youth President said the relevant laws prohibit arrest by proxy.
He said, “the reported invitation and declaration of Mrs. Achimugu is unlawful and a gross violation of the provisions of Nigeria’s relevant laws. We had waited to see whether the commission would make a turn, but its silence means that they are bent on tarnishing her image for someone who is private and law abiding.
“This is worrisome and should be condemned in all totality. There is no justification for their actions. This is a gross illegality.
“We recall that the EFCC did announce that it would stop this kind of raid, but it appears that nothing has changed. This crude method of arrest defies all logic and legality.
“All these go to show that there is more to this than meets the eye. It is albeit political is pure harassment to satisfy certain interests.
“Having said this, we urge the Chairman of the EFCC, who pledged before now to reform the commission, to direct the operatives to act right and let the law take it due course without further delay or embarrassment”
A business woman, Joy Smart-Chinenye, has revealed how she was arrested, brutalized, tortured, and detained by monitoring unit personnel of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, based on a petition filed by her husband, George Obinna Smart Unaegbu, over alleged debt to him.
The incident which took place on Sunday (Mothers Day) was said to have elicited a serious drama, wild condemnation and is already causing ripples among the police hierarchy.
Her explanation was contained in a statement released by her lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, titled, “Betrayed, Tortured, and Extorted – My Husband’s Cruelty Knows No Bounds”, obtained by journalists in Abuja.
Ejiofor, also lawyer to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had in his reaction to the police brutality, described the action of the police as unconstitutional.
According to him, Section 4 of the Nigeria Police Act clearly outlines the duties of the NPF, making no provision for debt recovery.
Joy Smart-Chinenye said, “As I write this, I am in severe agony, tears, and unbearable pain.
While mothers across the world celebrated Mothering Sunday, my own husband, the man I once loved and supported, threw me into Abattoir-SARS detention in Abuja – a facility notorious for holding condemned criminals, kidnappers, and terrorists.
“This is the same man I met when he was just a classroom teacher. I stood by him, fed him, supported him financially, and watched as God elevated him to a multi-billionaire. But how did he repay me? By having me brutalized, arrested, and locked away in one of the most dreaded cells in the country.
“Despite my unwavering fidelity and loyalty throughout our marriage, he has slept with both single and married women, exposing me to multiple infections. I have endured humiliation and betrayal in silence, keeping our marital issues out of the public eye, yet he continues to find ways to destroy me.
“This time, his weapon was the Nigeria Police Force. He manipulated them into arresting me over an alleged debt – a personal, civil matter that should have been settled in court, not through police brutality. On March 27, 2025, officers stormed our home, forcibly took me away in front of our children, and detained me at FCID Annex, Panti, Lagos, where I was tortured and coerced into transferring ₦5 million to an account they provided.
“When I could not meet his remaining demands, I was forcefully transported to Abuja, where I was detained at Abattoir, enduring further abuse, torture and extortion.
“I was repeatedly taken from the SARS detention cell at night to unknown locations, where I was subjected to intense coercion and intimidation. These harrowing experiences continued until the timely intervention of Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor ( I. C. Ejiofor Chambers), whose relentless legal efforts finally secured my release in the wee hours of last night. But the scars – both physical and emotional – remain.
“I can no longer stay silent. In due course, I will grant a press release and expose the full truth about Obinna George Smart Unaegbu. The world deserves to know.”