By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief) @CelestineOkaf11
The Chairman Dr Musa Aliyu Adamu, SAN, has assured the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC) will assist the Agency to tackle cases of tax evasion and financial crime in the revenue generating sector of the country.
The ICPC Boss gave the assurance at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Commission ‘s headquarters.
At the signing of the MOU the Chairman of FIRS lead his management team to the signing ceremony which he tag as fostering of collaboration of the two agency.
The ICPC Chairman, according to a statement on Friday, April 19, 2024 by the new Spokesman of the Commission, Demola Bakare, emphasize the importance of strategic partnership in the fight against corruption. He stated, "Corruption erodes the fabric of society and hinders economic development. By partnering with FIRS, we can more effectively investigate and prosecute cases of corruption involving tax evasion and other financial crimes."
The Chairman of FIRS Dr Zacch Adedeji in his words “ the MOU is a working agreement between the two agency ( helping you do your work and attain the vision of Mr president under one government and one country.
Dr Zacch Adedeji highlighted the role of tax compliance in building a more equitable society. "Tax evasion deprives the government of much-needed revenue that could be used for public services. Through this partnership, we aim to ensure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes," he said.
Accordingly the FIRS projected that they will generate 1.9trillion Naira as tax from public sector with the collaboration of ICPC.
Under the MOU, the two agencies will establish a joint task force to coordinate their efforts and share information on cases of mutual interest. They will also conduct joint training programs to enhance the skills of their staff in investigating financial crimes and detecting tax evasion.
The signing of the MOU has been welcomed by both Agency as a positive step towards improving governance and promoting ethical business practices. It is hoped that the partnership between the ICPC and FIRS will serve as a model for other agencies in the country to follow. NNL.
