Connect with us


BIG STORY

Federal Government May Ground 60 Private Jets Today Over Unpaid Import Duty

Published

on

The Nigerian government is set to ground over 60 private jets owned by top individuals due to unpaid import duties totaling billions of naira.

Documents reveal the Nigerian Customs Service will commence enforcement on October 14, 2024.

This follows reports of widespread duty evasion and a prior verification exercise conducted between June and July.

Meanwhile, the documents sighted (by The Punch) on Sunday showed that private jets belonging to some top business moguls, including chairmen and top executives of some banks would be stopped from flying.

Already, top private jet owners, who will be affected by the decision, have been officially notified by the NCS.

According to the documents, the majority of the affected planes are foreign-registered private jets owned by Nigerians.

Some of the luxury aircraft on the list are: Bombardier Challenger 604 CL-600-2B16, Bombardier Challenger 3500, Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000, Bombardier BD-700 Global 6500, Bombardier BD-700 Global 7500.

Each of the Bombardier BD-700 Global 7500 are estimated to cost over $70m, while the Global 6500 and 6000 version cost over $50m.

While 11 private jet owners have received notification of the grounding of their aircraft, report has it that no fewer than 55 other operators would get their letters on Monday (today).

This came as it was gathered that some top private jet operators had lobbied the Presidency ahead of the Monday grounding exercise but our correspondent learnt that the Presidency refused to interfere in the process.

The development, it was learnt, had made some operators to begin the process of settling the import duty.

Officials said some private jet owners had promised to settle the duty this week.

Already, operators of a United States-registered Gulfstream G650ER jet belonging to a leading Nigerian bank have reportedly paid N5.3bn import duty to avoid the clampdown exercise.

The Customs had recovered some duties into the government coffers when a similar exercise was carried out in 2019.

But in the letters sighted on Sunday, planes belonging to prominent individuals and corporate entities were restricted from flying until the outstanding duties were settled.

This enforcement action is expected to generate significant revenue for the government.

However, three of these aircraft slated for grounding effective today, had been reportedly flown out of the country.

However, the jets will be grounded as soon as they return to the country.

According to officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they lacked the authority to speak on the matter, the Nigerian Customs Act of 2023 empowers the customs service to penalise the owner or importer of any goods illegally imported into the country.

The official added that the NCS had issued demand notes to all affected owners and importers, instructing them to pay outstanding duties on their private aircraft.

While some aircraft owners have entered negotiations with the NCS to settle the outstanding payments, others have submitted written undertakings to clear the dues upon their return to Nigeria.

It is estimated that the NCS could generate over N260bn from this enforcement exercise.

BIG STORY

Laffmattazz: Lagos 3rd Coming Features Star-Studded Lineup with D’Banj, Queen Salawa Abeni, Reminisce, And More

Published

on

Legendary comedian Gbenga Adeyinka is set to host the much-anticipated third edition of his comedy show, Laffmattazz: Lagos 3rd Coming, on November 17, 2024.

The event will take place at the prestigious Balmoral Convention Center, Victoria Island, Lagos, promising an unforgettable night of laughter and entertainment.

The lineup features a mix of iconic comedians and musicians, including Omobaba No.1, Gandoki, Dr. Smile, Bash, Queen Salawa Abeni, Reminisce, and a host of surprise acts, with D’Banj headlining the show.

Gbenga Adeyinka remarked, “Laffmattazz: Lagos 3rd Coming will be the biggest comedy show of the year! We’ve curated an incredible roster of iconic headliners, and I’m excited to bring this level of entertainment to Lagos.”

Laffmattazz has cemented its place as a leading comedy brand, showcasing Nigeria’s finest comedic talent. This year’s event is poised to outdo its predecessors, featuring performances from Akpororo, Forever, Seriki Dariya, Princephelar, Dee One, Taooma, Baba Alariya, Madiba of Comedy, ATM, and more.

The night will also include musical performances by Tee Famous, The Countryman, Dami Cruz, and others, with DJ Wiki spinning on the decks.

 

Event Details:

– Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024

– Time: Red Carpet (3:00 PM), Show Start (5:00 PM)

– Venue: Balmoral Convention Center, Victoria Island, Lagos

 

Ticket Information:

– Regular: ₦7,000

– VIP: ₦20,000

– Table of 8 Gold: ₦1.5 million

– Table of 8 Platinum: ₦3 million

 

Purchase Tickets at:

1. Ile Iyan by PODs, GRA Ikeja

2. Ofada Boy, Surulere

3. Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Lekki

 

Online Tickets Available at:

1. Ariiyatickets.com

2. Grandtickets.ng

3. Laffmattazz.ng

 

For ticket purchases, sponsorships, inquiries, and collaboration opportunities, please contact: (+234) 08156111111.

 

Brought to you by: Maltina, Goldberg, Ace Roots, Goldberg Black

Supported by: Parralex Bank, Enclave Green Homes, FIRS, Lagos State Government.

Media Partners: African Magic, Royal Roots Cinema, Hip TV, Views Channel, Vybz FM, Ibrand TV, Rapid Broadcasting Network, City FM, Jordan FM, Rainbow FM, Mainland FM, Boom Radio, TVC, Kennis FM, Beat FM

Outdoor Partners: Nimbus Media, FPL Media, Folham, Media Crush, Elev8 Media

 

Stay updated by following Laffmattazz on social media @laffmattazz_ga1st for the latest news and behind-the-scenes content.

Don’t miss this epic comedy event! Secure your tickets now and join the conversation online using #LaffmattazzLagos3rdComing #GbengaAdeyinka.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

AfDB Approves $100m For Establishment Of Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank In Nigeria

Published

on

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $100 million for the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank in Nigeria.

Akinwunmi Adesina, president of the AfDB, made the announcement while delivering a keynote address at the 90th birthday lecture of former head of state, Yakubu Gowon, in Abuja.

“I am delighted to announce here today that just three days ago, the African Development Bank’s board of directors approved $100m for the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria,” Adesina said.

He emphasized that the initiative reflects the AfDB’s commitment to supporting Nigerian youths, who are vital to the country’s development.

The bank will provide technical assistance, business incubation, quasi-equity, and debt to youth businesses.

It will also offer guarantee instruments to de-risk lending to these businesses by financial institutions.

Adesina added, “It will be a new day and a new dawn for Nigeria.” He also stated that this initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision and plans for the youth in Nigeria.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Court Threatens To Jail DSS DG Ajayi For Disobeying Order On Access To Nnamdi Kanu

Published

on

A federal high court in Abuja has cautioned Adeola Ajayi, the director-general (DG) of the Department of State Services (DSS), against defying the court’s order for Nnamdi Kanu’s visitation rights.

Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been held in DSS custody since his re-arrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria in 2021.

He is facing trial on a seven-count charge, including treasonable felony.

Kanu’s legal team has repeatedly accused the DSS of denying its members access to their client.

The court had directed the DSS to allow Kanu’s legal team, with a maximum of five people, to visit him on designated days.

On Friday, the registrar of the federal high court in Abuja issued “form 48 notice of consequences of disobedience to the order of court” against DSS director-general.

The notice warned the DSS boss that he would be guilty of contempt of court and would be liable to imprisonment if he disobeyed the court-ordered visitations.

“Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in this order (see overleaf), by allowing the applicant’s counsel to conduct the court-ordered visitations with the applicant on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison,” the notice reads.

  • Kanu’s Lawyers Threaten To Sue Ajayi

In a statement on Friday, Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to the IPOB leader, said if Ajayi disobeyed the court order, the defence team would file contempt charges against him.

“This notice is necessitated by the repeated disobedience of the court-ordered visitation of Mazi Kanu by the newly appointed Director-General of the State Security Services (Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi), who has, for almost a month, not allowed Mazi Kanu’s lawyers to visit him,” the statement reads.

“To be clear, this notice is a quasi-criminal judicial process that forewarns any person disobeying a court order of the penal consequences of such misconduct.

“Therefore, if the Director-General of DSS persists on this ignoble path, he will leave us with no other option than to commence vigorous contempt proceedings against him.”

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular