FIRS: Adedeji Saved Nigeria $18bn Fleeced Through Tax Evasion, Illicit Financial Flows -CSOs

ABUJA – A coalition of civil society organisations has said the ingenuity of the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service FIRS, Zacch Adedeji saves Nigeria $18 billion hitherto fleeced through tax evasion and illicit financial flows.

The CSOs in a joint press conference Convened by Comrade Ibrahim Bello, National Coordinator, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI) on Monday in Abuja, said Adedeji was instrumental in introducing new tax laws that exempted individuals earning N800,000 or less per year from paying personal income tax.

Bello equally said the FIRS Boss initiated the TaxProMax system and USSD code *829# simplified tax payment processes and made them more accessible.

The CSOs numbering over 72 wrote off allegations against the FIRS chairman, linking it to the antics of disgruntled elements bent on tarnishing the image of the tax Caesar.

According to the CSOs, the reforms Adedeji introduced led to a boost in revenue generation for the Federal Government, and stabilized the economy.

Beyond the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI); other notable group heads included Hajiya Fatima Sani – Executive Director, Citizens Watch for Good Governance (CWGG); Barr. Chukwudi Eze – Chairman, Accountability and Democratic Values Initiative (ADVI); Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okeke – President, Nigerian Coalition Against Corruption and Waste (NCACW); Pastor Emmanuel Adebayo – General Secretary, Voice of Conscience Foundation (VOCF); Mr. Tunde Ogunleye – National Convener, Integrity Monitors Network (IMN); Ms. Chioma Nwosu – Chairperson, Patriots for Transparent Procurement (PTP); Comrade Aisha Yusuf – National Secretary, Civil Liberties and Anti-Corruption Movement (CLACOM).

They said: “It is really unfortunate to hear and see some groups who have been paid to carry out cheap blackmail against the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji.

“This made us to call for this press conference because we cannot sit down and watch some handful of people to go to the media to disparage and cast aspersions on a dedicated and passionate Nigerian who restored hope by deepening the revenue generation running into trillions of Naira, which had translated into development directly impacting the lives of Nigerians.

“It is really uncalled for, especially for these paid groups who have sold their consciences for a pot of porridge to be blindfolded to raise unfounded allegations against the FIRS boss”.