Saharareporters just learned that the Special Enforcement Unit of
Federal Inland Revenue Service has arrested shady businessman, Jimoh
Ibrahim, over a tax fraud that runs into N6.8 billion.
Sources
within the unit told Saharareporters that Mr. Ibrahim was picked up
today and is currently under detention at the offices of the agency.
According
to one source, “We are investigating a case where Chief Ibrahim,
defrauded the federal government to the tune of N6.8 billion.
He is in our custody, we take intend to take a statement from the suspect under caution”, he added.
One
of our sources said Mr. Mr. Ibrahim have been evading agents of the
unit for some time but disclosed that the eventually caught up with him
in his hotel room in NICON Luxury Hotel where he was arrested this
afternoon in Abuja.
Mr. Ibrahim emerged into national prominence
under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, where he was frequently
described as an insurance magnate after a questionable sale of the state
owned NICON insurance company to Mr. Ibrahim.
He subsequently
became a player in the media industry through the controversial purchase
of Newswatch magazine and also as a proprietor of Air Nigeria. An
airline closed down last year due to safety concerns and Ibrahim’s
inability to meet financial obligations to staff, lessors and
maintenance engineers and aircraft parts suppliers.
After Mr.
Ibrahim’s purchase of Newswatch, the original directors, including Ray
Ekpu, accused Mr. Ibrahim of hijacking Newswatch without meeting the
terms of acquisition as a majority stakeholder.
His troubles in
aviation sector came to light when one of his top level employee, John
Nnorom turned into a whistleblower and disclosed to Saharareporters of
the airline’s extensive violation of maintenance standards and financial
fraud.
Also, Aersale an aircraft lease company sued him in New
York court seeking a huge payment representing Air Nigeria unpaid
obligations under the term of the lease.
Mr.Ibrahim is known to
have extensive political connection with former President Obasanjo as
well top members of the Goodluck Jonathan regime.
No comments:
Post a Comment