The Chairman, Kogi State Internal Revenue Services (KGIRS), Yakubu Oseni was recently accused of funds diversion and money laundering. A Civil Society Organization, Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum alleged that three billion naira tax was diverted into private bank accounts. The CSO also alleged that Yakubu Oseni acquired a multi-billion naira property located at No. 1, Magaji Muazu Crescent off Patrick Yakowa Road, Katampe, Abuja shortly after the 3 billion naira was diverted.
Twenty fours hours after the fraud was exposed, Oseni decided to respond through a proxy, Mrs. Azanat Salihu the KGIRS head of administration and human resources. The proxy denied the allegation as expected. She however did not deny the existence of the bank accounts listed by the CSO that exposed the fraud.
I have painstakingly confirmed that all the account numbers listed by the CSO all belong to Kogi State Internal Revenue Services. Anyone with mobile banking application can easily confirm this as well. This, at least, shows that the CSO that exposed the N3b fraud are right about the accounts listed.
Also, it is curious that the Chairman of KGIRS was silent about the mansion recently acquired in Abuja. Is it false and mis-leading as well?
Kogites have been curious all along with claims of increase in internally generated revenue with no commensurate impact on developments in the state. The state government have always brandished monthly allocation as only source of revenue for payments of salaries and execution of projects. Kogites have never felt the impact of internally generated revenue since this government assumed office. Can we safely assume that IGR goes straight into private pockets while government rely solely on monthly allocations.
We demand that this allegations be probed thoroughly to either clear Yakubu Oseni or recommend him for prosecution. The silence of Kogi state government on this scandal is unfortunate. Just like Babachir Lawal’s grass cutting scandal, this one will not be swept under the carpet. no matter how long it takes, justice will be served.
– Adamu Ojonugwa writes from Lokoja.
