Import Waiver Fraud: 26 companies MDs to be arrested, Others return N400m to FG, as Reps intensify probe
The managing directors of 26 companies in Nigeria risk arrest over alleged involvement in the import waiver fraud they allegedly committed against the Federal Government.
Their cases were compounded by the alleged failure to appear before the National Assembly committee mandated to investigate the defrauding huge amount of money from the Federal Government through the Import Waiver Scheme.
Shocked by the company chiefs’ indifference to the several invitations, the House of Representatives Committee on Customs which is handling the matter, has opted to press for their arrest.
Details of the proceedings of the panel gleaned by The AUTHORITY showed that of the 41 managing directors and chief executives of the affected companies, 26 of them have refused to appear before the committee.
Consequently, the committee headed by Hon. Abiodun Faleke, (APC,Lagos), has threatened to issue bench warrants against the offending chief executives since they have failed to submit relevant documents pertaining to the customs duty waivers they were granted by the Federal Government.
The committee had summoned 41 firms, but 26 of the firms failed to honour the invitation after several letters were sent to them, a member of the panel disclosed at the weekend.
It was further gathered that some of the firms which are yet to appear before committee had enjoyed customs waivers running into several billions of naira as they imported far and above what they required for the waivers granted to them.
A source close to the committee, told The AUTHORITY that “a particular company imported tiles for over 10 hectares of land in the name of building a five-star hotel and so many infractions that the Customs Committee has unearthed since the investigative hearing started in March this year.
“We also discovered that most of the erring companies have several things to hide and the committee members have vowed to unravel all those involved and dig deeper into the matter,” he said.
When contacted on the development, Hon. Faleke confirmed the non-appearance of the companies and vowed to fish them out, adding that “our efforts are simply geared towards ensuring we support the anti-graft war of this administration.
“As you can see, we are not only concerned about how appropriated funds are utilised, but we are backing government’s anti-corruption war by our actions.
“We’ve gone out of our way to be revenue earners for the government and l can confidently inform you that companies that abused the import duty waivers have paid over N400 million into government coffers,” he said.
Falake warned that all the companies invited are expected to appear on the date allotted to them unfailingly or risk sanctions by the House
Committee without further delay.
Some of the companies the committee summoned then in connection with the alleged import duty waiver fraud are Seaview Emporium Limited, Pancham International Limited, Alfatek Integrated Ventures, Verona Industries Limited, Vital Products Limited, Odun & Remy Trading Company, Mac Resolute Service Limited, Viscous Global Investment
Limited and Fadobra Ventures Limited. Others are China Homes and Office Equipment, Links World Redemption Enterprises, SCC Nigeria Limited, J.I. Ejison International Nigeria Limited, Tak Continental Limited, Metal African Steel Products Limited, Sunshine Guest House & Hotel Limited, Elim Top Suite Limited, Noktel Resort Hotel, Naks Hotels & Tower Limited, Luxurium Leisure Service and Chelsea Hotel.
There are also Dana Air and Bristol Helicopters, S V Hotels Ltd, and Top Rank Hotel. Some of them have however appeared before the panel.
Import Waiver Fraud: 26 companies MDs to be arrested, Others return N400m to FG, as Reps intensify probe
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Monday, July 02, 2018
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