EFCC Speaks On ex-FIRS Boss, Fowler’s Arrest

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made a clarification on the arrest of Babatunde Fowler, a former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren who confirmed the reported arrest, however said that Fowler on Monday morning responded to an invitation extended to him by the commission.

“Yes, Fowler responded to an invitation this morning. I believe he is still here,” the EFCC spokesperson said, in a report in TheNewsGuru.

BIGPEN had reported that Fowler, an ally of former Lagos State Governor and APC chieftain Bola Tinubu, is being interrogated over an alleged tax evasion as it relates to Alpha Beta, a tax consulting firm.

Alpha Beta has often been linked to Tinubu.

ALSO READ: How EFCC Recovered N28bn For FIRS – Babatunde Fowler

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The former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Alpha Beta Consulting, Dapo Apara, had accused the firm of tax fraud to the tune of N100 billion.

In a petition to the EFCC in 2018, Apara stated that Alpha Beta, the firm given exclusive rights to monitor and collect Internally Generated Revenue on behalf of the Lagos Government, “has become an avenue for official corruption of government officials, a conduit pipe for massive money-laundering scheme, tax evasion, among other vices.”

ALSO READ: Buhari Appoints Nami FIRS Chair As Fowler Bows Out

In the petition which was written by his lawyer, Adetunji Shoyoye and Associates, the ex-CEO claimed that the fraud had been covered by powerful politicians in the state.

The petition read in part, “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.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had last year refused Fowler as FIRS chairman for a second term when in December 2019 his first term in office terminated.

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(This story contains information from TheNewsGuru)