FIRS ARREST 3 CEOS OVER N2.17 BILLION TAX EVASION-THE NATION

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has arrested Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of three companies in Lagos for alleged failure to remit N2.17 billion taxes.

In a statement at the weekend by the FIRS Director of Communications and Liaison Department, Mr. Emmanuel Obeta, the agency said the enforcement drive, led by an Assistant Director of Legal and Prosecution Department, Mr. Abu Stephen, is aimed at recovering arrears of taxes accruing to the government from Company Income Tax (CIT), Education Tax (EDT), Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT).

He said the FIRS served many notices on the companies to pay their outstanding tax liabilities or be compelled to do so.

The statement added that the companies and their liabilities are: Pivot Engineering Limited, N609,911,992:36; Reliance Telecommunications Limited, N592,756,627:00; HITV Limited, N309,500,065:55; and UTC Nigeria Plc, N277,589,163:74

Others are: Sweet Sensation Confectionary Limited, N155,483,013:00; Entertainment Highway Limited, N197,444,964:55 and John Holt Nigeria Limited, N33,073,487:52.

The statement reads: “However, some of the companies had admitted their outstanding tax liabilities when the enforcement team called at their offices. For instance, Mr. Opedemowo Olayemi, the Chief Accountant of Sweet Sensation Confectionary Limited, said the company was owing N60 million for VAT alone.

“Also, Mr. Dada Arokoyu of UTC and Mr. Muyiwa Fojude of Pivot agreed that their companies had outstanding tax liability to settle with the FIRS.

“Similarly, when the team visited HITV Ltd, Entertainment Highway Ltd and Reliance Communications Ltd, their offices were under lock and key, but security at the gates attended to the enforcement team.

“At HITV and Entertainment the team was told that the GTBank sealed off the premises following a court order. Reliance Communication was sealed upon the directive of the Chairman of the company.

“The arrest is a warning to other organisations and individuals on the need to ensure deductions and remittance of their tax obligation as provided by Part V1, Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act 2007.

It states: “Any person who, being obliged to deduct any tax under this act or the laws listed in the First Schedule to this Act, but fails to deduct or having deducted, fails to pay to the Service within 30 days from the date the amount was deducted or the time the duty to deduct arose, commits an offence and shall, upon conviction, be liable to pay the tax withheld or not remitted in addition to a penalty of 10 per cent of the tax withheld or not remitted per annum and interest at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria minimum re-discount rate and imprisonment for period of not more than three years.’’

-The nation

AIR NIGERIA KICKS OFF LAGOS-LONDON FLIGHT ON WEDNESDAY

Jimoh Ibrahim, a Nigerian billionaire,politician and chairman of Air Nigeria is very excited at the moment. Air Nigeria (formerly Virgin Nigeria) just took delivery of its much awaited A300-200 aircraft.

The flight is to serve the purpose of flying passengers from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to London airport. Ibrahim and the MD of Air Nigeria flew on board the airport to Lagos via Egypt some hours ago.The arrival of the aircraft was marked with a  short ceremony. The first passenger flight has been scheduled for wednesday.

Known as 'Mr. Risk Taker', Mr. Ibrahim is also a motivational speaker and publisher of Newswatch magazine.

FUNKE AKINDELE IS GETTING MARRIED THIS MAY-REPORT

Report says that top Yoruba Actress, Miss Funke Akindele would be getting married this year to theman of her dreams.Activities leading to the happy union is expected to start this May 26. Click here to read read the full story and see picture

RIHANNA'S LATEST PHOTO:HOT OR HAWWT?

                   Rihanna wearing a white thigh high slit dress at LA premiere of the film 'battleship'.What is left to the imagination?You better ask Riri!I like the dress.The thigh high is enough to make a lot of guys go high.Well done Rihanna

INI EDO, TONI PAYNE DENIES PREGNANCY TALE

Online media has become the first spot for breaking news and at the same time the rumour factory.Actress Ini Edo denies that she is pregnant as insinuated in some quarters.You can also click here to read how Toni Payne the ex-wife of Alapomeji crooner, 9ice showed off her second pregnant at Tuface Idibia's last concert.

AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON MODEL CASTING IN LAGOS

Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) announces 3rd and 4th of August 2012 will be the date for the sparkle event at London's Spitalfields Market Hall. Following the unprecedented success of last year’s event, AFWL has relocated to London Spitalfields, recent winners of a Best New Open Space award. This year’s event is set to be bigger and better with a larger venue, more designers and tons more exhibitors. This will be the first large scale event  to showcase UK and non-UK based seasoned and emerging fashion designers inspired by Africa.

  This year casting for models in Nigeria will be held at French/Nigeria based photographer Emilio Conti in his Villa, No7, Adeyemi Lawson Street Ikoyi, Lagos.

All models from different agency are invited. Models should come with their portfolio or Zcard along with them.

All models selected should see Joan Okorodudu CEO, ISIS Models after the casting.

The casting time: 10AM to 4PM

Date: 12 of May 2012.

However, Ronke Ademiluyi, CEO of Africa Fashion Week London says:

‘We were astounded by the level of support shown to AFWL last year. This time round, we are taking things to a higher level, with a bigger venue it’s hoped the event will reach a higher magnitude.  By promoting African fashion globally we hope to integrate African countries into the fashion industry and also contribute to the reduction of poverty by developing the fashion and textile industry’

The showcase debuted last year with an impressive turnout of over 4,700 attendees, the two day extravaganza created an unparalleled platform for over 50 international designers to showcase their collections. With the Olympics this year, all corners of the world will be focusing on what London has to offer, on and off the race tracks. The time is now to highlight Africa as a frontrunner in the international fashion community.

Spitalfields Market is surrounded by independent shops, cafes, bars and awarding winning restaurants such as Canteen, Galvin La Chapell and Giraffe to name a few. With a capacity of over 10,000 visitors, Spitalfields is the perfect location for a two day display of fashion, art, music and food.

LIZZY ANJORIN BUYS 6 MILLION NAIRA LAND ROVER JEEP

Yoruba actress, Liz Anjorin has joined the list of top actresses in Nigeria whose love for automobile has been on the rise.

Niyi Tabiti blog gathered that the sexy actress just acquired a glittering 2011 Land Rover jeep. Those close to her said she bought the vehicle for about N6 million (Naira). This is coming less than a year after she also bought her Nissan Murano and weeks after a lavish burial for her departed mother.

It would be recalled that several top actresses such as