Secret Reporters
Documents seen by this online news medium have confirmed the assertion that the erstwhile FIRS boss Babatunde Fowler handed over to his protégé instead of the most senior Director to facilitate an immediate clean-up process of his financial misappropriation spree.
In a letter dated 10th December 2019 with reference number FIRS/EC/CWFMF/5913/19/1500 addressed to the Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Mr Abiodun Aina requested for an authorization to empower him to carry out operational functions in the Service in the capacity of the FIRS boss.
Poise on hitting the ground running to provide him ample time to clean up traces of his benefactor’s loot, the letter which emanated from the office of the Coordinating Director, Domestic Taxes Group headed by Mr Abiodun Aina showed him claiming to be the most senior Director in the Service instead of Mr Victor Ekundayo, the Director Human Capital Management as stated by the staff union.
“…I write to inform you that Mr Babatunde Fowler has handed over the leadership of the Service to me as the most senior Director in the Service in line with Mr President’s directive…I am hereby requesting a letter of authorization which will empower me to carry out necessary operational functions pending the confirmation of the new Executive Chairman by the Senate” Mr Abiodun stated.
Critics believe that there is much to be desired over the silence of the Presidency over the impunity with which Babatunde Fowler flouted the directive of the President in handing over to another other than Victor Ekundayo as well as the brazen move by Mr Abiodun Aina in seeking for authorization to carry out operational functions which may likely be granted by the Minister without much fuss.