Drama As CSOs Withdraw False Accusations Against FIRS Boss

There was a mild drama in Abuja on Monday, as over 40 Civil Society Organisations ( CSOs) under the auspices of the Civil Society Committee Against Corruption in Nigeria (CSCACN) withdrew the false accusations they had levelled against the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, and apologise to him.

The groups, at a press conference, admitted that the petition they earlier submitted against the FIRS boss was tainted with inaccurate and misleading information.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, Abdullah Mohammed, Segun Abayomi, Syvester Agbonlahor, Nwachukwu Emeka and Ahmed Sanni profusely apologised to Adedeji, noting that his leadership at FIRS was outstanding.

They said: “CSCACN would like to sincerely apologize to the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, for the petition we had submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“We regret any inconvenience or damage this may have caused to his reputation and the integrity of the FIRS.

“Our actions were driven by a genuine concern for transparency and accountability in public office, but we should have verified the information more thoroughly before making such serious allegations.”

While recounting their earlier accusations, they said under Mr Adedeji’s leadership, the FIRS has strengthened its internal control mechanisms and compliance with best practices in corporate governance, adding that this has helped to enhance the overall integrity and credibility of the agency, making it a more trustworthy and reliable partner in the country’s tax ecosystem.

“Moreover, the FIRS under Mr. Adedeji’s stewardship has collaborated with other government agencies and international partners to combat tax evasion, money laundering, and other financial crimes.

“This has helped to strengthen the country’s economic resilience and protect the integrity of its financial system, which are essential for attracting foreign investment and fostering sustainable economic growth”, they said.