ICPC, FIRS COLLABORATE TO COMBAT FINANCIAL TAX FRAUDS 18-01-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) have opened talks on three crucial areas the two agencies could explore to mitigate financial tax frauds and other corrupt vices.
A statement by the ICPC, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua says the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu made this known while on courtesy visit to Headquarters of FIRS on Thursday.
Dr. Aliyu during the visit stressed the need for effective collaboration to deepen mutual cooperation and efforts for greater impact in the anti-corruption drive.
The ICPC Chairman stated that the essence of the courtesy visit to FIRS was hinged on discussing three areas of collaboration that would help the cause of tackling corruption most especially the ones that are tax related.
“First of all, there are three critical areas which we need to look at. First to consider is the issue of sharing information between the two organizations and integration of technology. We need to set up a structured process of regular information sharing between us so as to detect potential corruption or fraudulent activities in tax-related matters. He said.
The ICPC Chairman said the two agencies must ensure prevention of Corruption related to Tax for the growth of the nation’s Economy.
“You have the expertise on tax and we have the mandate of preventing corruption, so I believe effective collaboration would help to identify and tackle the fraudulent practices in the system”.ICPC Chairman stressed.
He thereafter highlighted other areas of Importance for collaboration.
“The second area is the issue of joint investigation and legal reforms. This is an area which the ICPC and the FIRS need to come together because we know that sometimes corruption also come in form of tax evasion and other means of fraud.
“Then the last is the issue of capacity building, which is very important because no organisation can perform its function effectively without the support of the government. We can come together to train or organise programs jointly for members of our staff and organisations so as to enhance our skills and knowledge in detecting and preventing corruption which is related to the issue of tax system in this country.”
The ICPC Boss, who also advocated a cross-agency committee that will be reviewing and addressing the critical areas of partnership, promised that ICPC was one hundred percent ready to give the FIRS the needed support in the interest of the country’s development.
Responding, The Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, expressed delight about ICPC Chairman’s visit and the expression of interest to help the revenue-generating agency tackle tax-related frauds in Nigeria.
“I am hopeful and optimistic that we will collaborate effectively, and I am particularly delighted that with your support, our enforcement mandate on tax-matters will improve.” Dr. Adedeji.
“We will also develop a framework and we will use technology to do so and I believe you are a ready-made partner for us in the area of revenue generation and the progress, not only for individual agencies but for the federal government as a whole,” he said.