BANYO TEMITAYO
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is currently investigating an allegation of N100bn tax evasion against Alpha Beta Consulting.
The Commission has therefore invited a former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler, in connection with the allegation against the tax firm.
Fowler reportedly honoured the invitation on Monday.
Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Beta, Dapo Apara, had, in a petition to the EFCC in 2018, accused the company of the said fraud.
Alpha Beta has exclusive rights to monitor and collect Internally Generated Revenue on behalf of Lagos State.
Recall that Fowler was Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service.
Apara alleged in his petition, written by his lawyer, Adetunji Shoyoye and Associates, that Alpha Beta had become an avenue for official corruption of government officials, “a conduit pipe for massive money-laundering scheme, tax evasion, among other vices,” noting that powerful Lagos politicians had covered the fraud.
“Over the years the company has been protected and shielded by some powerful politicians and people in the society which made them to always boast of being untouchable, but our client, feeling the need not to keep quiet again and strengthened by his belief in the fact that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is keen on fighting corruption, which has been the bane of our country, is of the firm belief that it’s time to expose and open the can of worms called Alpha Beta Consulting,” the petition said.
