The Special Enforcement Unit of the
Federal Inland Revenue Service has arrested a billionaire businessman, Mr.
Jimoh Ibrahim, over a tax fraud that runs into N6.8 billion.
Sources within the
unit told Saharareporters that Mr. Ibrahim was picked in Abuja on the afternoon
of November 18, 2013, Monday, and is currently under detention at the offices
of the agency.
Mr. Ibrahim have been
allegedly evading agents of the unit for some time, but he was eventually
caught in his hotel room at NICON Luxury Hotel.
The suspect 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 the airline’s extensive violation of
maintenance standards and financial fraud were disclosed. In addition to it,
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 players from Goodluck Jonathan’s team.
Sahara Reporters
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