Dr Shakirat Kareem Abayomi, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Whiterose Group, has rebuked the coordinated effort by her detractors to spread false allegations against her through the media. She emphasized that the allegations are baseless and part of a deliberate strategy by her competitors to tarnish the reputable image of the property brand she has diligently built over the years.

Addressing the recent misinformation against her, Dr Shakira stated that the allegations stem from envy, hate, and resentment from individuals threatened by her success in business. Despite facing unfair attacks in the media, she remains steadfast in her commitment to the real estate sector. Ordinarily, she would have ignored the attention-seeking cheap blackmailers because they could not support their baseless allegations with any shred of evidence; however, for the sake of her concerned friends, numerous clients, and benefactors, she needed to put out a rebuttal as she believes that the negative press will only serve to strengthen her resolve and make her a better person. She also emphasized that the recent media scrutiny may be a result of biased elements using the media to undermine her achievements as a successful woman in a predominantly male-driven industry in Nigeria.

The philanthropist known for her innovative design work in reshaping the Lagos skyline with luxurious condominiums and other impressive buildings dismissed the allegations made on certain sponsored blogs and social media platforms. She emphasized that the claims are unfounded and do not reflect her reputable standing as a respected businesswoman with years of experience and a track record of serving top clients with a commitment to excellence.

She also expresses her disappointment at the sponsors of the fake news, whom she believed should have made it an issues-based argument rather than resorting to name-calling and cheap blackmail. In the purported falsehood being spread around by some faceless bloggers, it was alleged that the light-skinned business coach was allegedly involved in some fraudulent dealings but contrary to the claim, she averred that, since her foray into the real estate business, she has never been caught in the web of fraud. She further disclosed that her company was built on key elements like; fidelity, consistency, quality, eye for detail, relationship-oriented, hard work and truthfulness.

She also said most of her clients are referral-based as she ensures customer experience and satisfaction which has kept her brand a formidable one with numerous projects to its growing portfolio. In other to prove her innocence of the said allegations. She has challenged anyone with substantial proof of defrauding to come forward and present it as she is ready to face the full wrath of the law if she is found culpable. She also vehemently disassociated herself from other allegations which include; land-grabbing, assassination attempts, blackmail and others noted in the sponsored syndicated press statement.

She has also called on stakeholders within the pen-pushing profession on proper regulation of the media space as many who hide under the guise of ‘free speech‘ have constantly pushed hateful and disparaging statements of no fact for clickbait to malign her which is against the ethics of the journalism profession which gives opportunity for fair hearing and a balanced story reportage rather than resorting to blackmails using media platforms to peddle misinformation. To clear her name off the series of allegations and falsehoods being spread around by detractors, she has ordered her legal team to seek legal redress and do anything within the ambit of the law to hold anyone culpable of defamation and cyberbullying face the wrath of the law.

Dr Shakirat has disclosed that she is a law-abiding Nigerian and a practising Muslim with a business conglomerate currently employing over three thousand direct and indirect workers. She also said she will do everything to protect her brand jealously and won’t condone anyone hiding under any guise to peddle misinformation about her and her brand by sabotaging her hard work as she is ready to go head-on with anyone culpable in line with the cybercrime section of Nigerian law to further prove her innocence.

Determined to entrench transparency and accountability in tax collection processes and operations at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the chairman, Zacch Adedeji, has constituted a 12-member Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) with the mandate to ensure zero tolerance for unethical acts and corruption within the revenue-collecting agency.

The body, which is to collaborate with anti-graft agencies, was inaugurated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Revenue House in Abuja, on Tuesday.

A cross section of members of FIRS Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) being sworn in at the Revenue House in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, Adedeji, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo Koleosho, urged the newly inducted members of the anti-corruption unit to live above board, saying “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”

A statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, said Adedeji charged members of the unit to reflect the core values of the agency which he said abhor corruption, tasking them to bring integrity and transparency to bear in their roles and responsibilities.

“The easy part of being a member of FIRS anti-corruption unit has just been done. The real work starts now. The FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr Zacch Adedeji believes that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

“The staff of FIRS and by extension the taxpayers as well as the general public should be able to relate with the integrity you bring to this responsibility,” Adedeji said.

The Coordinating Director, Support Services Group, Mohammed Lawal Abubakar, noted that the FIRS will continue to provide support for the anti-corruption unit and urged the inductees to be good examples of people imbued with honesty and integrity.

ICPC chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, who was represented by the Director, System Study and Review of ICPC, Mr Olusegun Adigun, said the FIRS ACTU members would be supported to deliver on their mandate.

“With this inauguration, the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit of the FIRS has been empowered to deliver on its mandate which includes: periodic sensitisation of staff on the ills of corruption; examination of systems, processes and procedures that are prone to corruption and offering solutions; developing and reviewing code of ethics for staff and ensuring compliance with same; monitoring budget and its implementation by the FIRS, coordinating the deployment of the ethics and integrity scorecards and undertaking preliminary investigation into complaints and reports received.

“The ACTU is not set up as a parallel authority to the management. Rather, they are to work closely with the management to build a reputable agency. I therefore implore the FIRS to see the unit in this light and support it by providing conducive environment for it to function, provide funds and office accommodation as well as incorporate members in various standing committees as contained in the extant circular of the Federal Government,” said the ICPC chief.

The Director of the anti-corruption unit, Hajia Sa’adatu Yero, praised Adedeji for being truly intentional about strengthening the anti-corruption unit.

Yero said: “ACTU is entrusted with the critical responsibility of preventing corrupt practices within the Service through effective implementation of the anti-corruption measures and mechanisms. ACTU strives to eliminate unethical practices, ensuring the highest standards of integrity and transparency in the operations at FIRS.

“ACTU of FIRS is made up of representatives of the various groups in the Service and other relevant functions. Since its inception, the unit has been performing exceedingly well by collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders such as the ICPC, the Nigerian Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure all corruption and unethical risks of the Service are tackled effectively.

“ACTU of the Service was recently rated among the best in the country scoring 79.95% in the 2022 Ethics and Integrity Scorecard survey. The Executive Chairman FIRS in his commitment to eliminate all forms of corrupt practices in the Service decided to approve the appointment of a Director to head the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit as chairman and Director-ACTU who will oversee all aspects of the anti-corruption activities of the Service,” she said.

By Mogaji Wole Arisekola.

Corruption has long plagued the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), attracting critical attention from observers both within and outside the country. The systemic rot within the organization highlights the pressing need for reform and accountability if Nigeria is to fulfill its aspirations of development and stability.

Ahmed Kuru, the former Managing Director of AMCON, was questioned over allegations of corruption involving the sale of assets and the embezzlement of over N895 billion. Despite these serious accusations, he has never been charged in court. Unfortunately, this is not a surprise in Nigeria, where high-profile corruption cases often vanish into the ever-expanding abyss of unresolved scandals. The matter has since been swept under the carpet, joining countless other corrupt cases that demand immediate and radical action if our beloved country is to rise to greatness once again.

The story of AMCON’s mismanagement and corruption goes far beyond this isolated case. Most of the assets seized by AMCON are allegedly re-looted by unscrupulous civil servants and political appointees working within the organization. Properties under AMCON’s receivership are often rented out, with the proceeds diverted to the personal accounts of AMCON staff and their cronies. What should be public assets meant to serve the country’s recovery and development have become private cash cows for a select few who prioritize personal gain over public service.

A few months ago, I conducted my own investigation and traced some of AMCON’s properties to Victoria Garden City (VGC) and Ikoyi in Lagos. What I discovered was shocking. Contrary to what is documented in AMCON’s records in Abuja, these assets were not vacant. In fact, they were occupied by individuals who paid ground rents directly to AMCON staff and those managing the receivership. The corruption was organized and methodical, with government officials and receivership operatives working hand in hand to defraud the system. It’s a syndicate that has embedded itself within AMCON, perpetuating a cycle of theft and deceit.

This scandalous mismanagement extends beyond properties and into Nigeria’s vital energy sector. Several oil rigs seized by AMCON have allegedly been leased or sold under questionable circumstances to associates of top AMCON officials. These deals are shrouded in secrecy, bypassing transparency and due process. The collusion between government officials and their private sector partners in AMCON has reached alarming levels, effectively turning what should be a government agency into a personal enterprise for the corrupt elite.

Before delving further into other issues, it is essential to critically examine what I describe as the anatomy of corruption and the breakdown of the rule of law that has become the norm under the administration of both Ahmed Kuru and the current Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AMCON, Mr. Gbenga Alade. Their leadership has done little to curb the rampant corruption within the organization, instead perpetuating a culture of impunity that only deepens the crisis.

One of the critical areas where AMCON’s corruption has had a detrimental impact is Nigeria’s power sector. The issue of epileptic power supply has long been a source of frustration for Nigerians. Before President Tinubu was elected last year, one of his key campaign promises was to improve electricity access across the country. Upon assuming office, he assembled a team of experts to diagnose the challenges plaguing the Ministry of Power. One of the major obstacles identified was the overbearing influence and corruption within AMCON, which had taken over several power plants nearly a decade ago due to the original owners’ exposure to bad loans.

Among these troubled projects is the Kudendan power plant in Kaduna. The plant was awarded in 2010, and by 2018, it was reportedly 90% completed. However, since AMCON took control, work on the plant has stalled, leaving billions of naira in public funds to waste. Despite its potential to significantly boost electricity supply in the region, AMCON’s failure to either complete the project or recover the funds has left the asset in limbo. The abandonment of such critical infrastructure is emblematic of the senseless and destructive management practices that have characterized AMCON’s operations. As Nigeria’s economy struggles for survival, these failures further strain our national resources.

In response to this debacle, President Tinubu directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to step in and mediate between AMCON, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the contractors. The objective was clear: resolve the outstanding issues, reactivate the power plant, and facilitate the recovery of public funds. The project, once resumed, would improve electricity supply across the country, contributing to the president’s vision for a brighter energy future for Nigeria. Initially, all parties agreed to this plan, but the situation soon took a sinister turn.

Weeks after the president’s directive, corrupt civil servants within AMCON and the agency’s management began to resist the order. In a blatant show of defiance, this journalist uncovered a letter written by Gbenga Alade, the MD/CEO of AMCON, instructing all parties involved that the corporation was appointing a consultant to review President Tinubu’s directive. Such an audacious move not only undermines the president’s authority but also exemplifies the arrogance and impunity that have become entrenched within AMCON.

This incident raises profound questions about the state of Nigeria’s democracy and governance. How can the president’s order be disregarded by his appointees? How has AMCON, a government agency, become so powerful that it can unilaterally sideline the nation’s highest office? The answer lies in the deep-rooted corruption that permeates every level of the organization. Legal issues surrounding AMCON’s dealings with contractors have now led to further delays in critical projects, forcing the EFCC to intervene.

Nigerians are left wondering: who will pay for the consultants appointed by Gbenga Alade? Many suspect that these consultants, like others before them, are simply conduits for siphoning government funds under the guise of professional services. The suspicion is that the consultancy fees will be inflated, with kickbacks flowing back to those who orchestrated the scheme. This pattern of appointing consultants for every trivial matter is a well-known tactic used by corrupt officials to embezzle public funds while creating the illusion of accountability.

It is hard to escape the conclusion that Gbenga Alade has either been captured by the corrupt forces within AMCON or is willingly part of the problem. His recent appointment as the MD/CEO has done little to inspire confidence that change is coming to the organization. Instead, his actions suggest a continuation of the old ways – a system built on exploiting public assets for personal enrichment while the nation’s economy suffers.

AMCON’s rot runs deep, and unless decisive action is taken, the agency will continue to serve as a cesspit of corruption, a black hole into which public funds vanish without a trace. Nigerians deserve better. The country’s assets should be managed transparently and with integrity, with every naira accounted for and directed toward the public good.

To turn things around, the government must take a firm stand against corruption in AMCON. This includes prosecuting those responsible for looting public assets, implementing strict oversight mechanisms, and ensuring that AMCON’s operations are subjected to regular audits. Additionally, the government should explore alternatives to AMCON’s current management structure, possibly by involving independent and reputable external bodies that can bring professionalism and accountability to the organization.

Beyond the immediate need for reforms within AMCON, the broader issue is Nigeria’s failure to adequately address corruption across its institutions. AMCON is just one example of the many agencies where corruption festers, stifling progress and perpetuating poverty. If Nigeria is to make meaningful strides toward development, there must be a coordinated and sustained effort to root out corruption at all levels of government.

The public must also play a role in holding their leaders accountable. Civil society organizations, the media, and ordinary citizens must keep the spotlight on AMCON and other corrupt entities, refusing to let these issues fade into the background. Sustained pressure is essential in ensuring that those who plunder Nigeria’s wealth are brought to justice.

It is not enough to simply lament the state of affairs. Concrete action is needed, starting with AMCON. The agency’s leadership must be overhauled, and a new culture of transparency and accountability must be instilled. Without this, AMCON will remain a symbol of everything wrong with Nigeria’s governance – a cesspit of corruption where the powerful enrich themselves at the expense of the public.

Mogaji Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan.