A Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, is planning to return to Nigeria, according to his lawyer, Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi.
In 2021, Igboho left the country following a raid on his Ibadan home by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The raid resulted in the deaths of two people and led to the arrest of around 13 others.
The DSS confirmed they had conducted the operation due to intelligence reports suggesting that Igboho was amassing weapons in his home.
Following the raid, Igboho was pursued by the DSS and eventually arrested in the neighboring Cotonou, Benin Republic, while attempting to travel to Germany.
Olajengbesi revealed to the press on Friday in Abuja that Igboho, who has regained his freedom, is preparing to return to Nigeria.
“Igboho is doing very well and he will soon be in Nigeria in a very ceremonial way. The arrangements are on,” Olajengbesi told reporters.
Olajengbesi lamented his struggles to enforce a judgement in favor of his client due to the need for the Attorney-General of the Federation’s approval before security agencies can pay judgement debts.
He called for a review of this provision of the law and urged the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, to reconsider their stance on “freedom fighters.”
The lawyer praised President Tinubu for “his purposeful leadership drive, restructuring of the governmental policies and operational systems since assuming the office.”
He also commended the acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, for initiating reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.
Criticisms On SERVICOM And Tax Policies
Nevertheless, Olajengbesi pointed out some key issues. He demanded that the Federal Government dismantle its Service Compact With All Nigerians (SERVICOM) because the agency has failed to fulfill its purpose, and he criticized the current double taxation policies in the country.
He said, “The body was supposed to be a mechanism through which Nigerians can lodge complaints against tyrannical and errant public officers whose conducts falls below the standard required of a public and civil servants. SERVICOM customarily have offices in all federal government agencies, take complaints and ensure efficiency, justice and fairness in all government agencies.
“Unfortunately, this body has now failed to uphold the purpose of its establishment. The agency no longer addresses complaints and has now become very ineffective.
“The organization leadership and modus oparandi has accordingly encouraged abuse of official duties on the one hand as well as precluding victims of these errant officers from accessing appropriate remedy within the administrative system.”
He further stated, “For instance, the trite position of law is that owners of business names duly registered with Corporate Affairs Commission is not under a legal duty to pay tax over the business name; rather such a person is expected to pay Personal Income Tax pursuant to Section 2 of CITA.
“Unfortunately, it is now a compelling practice for Business names to separately obtain Tax Identification Number (TIN) which consequently expose them to payments of tax while the proprietors of such business names equally pay Personal Income Tax resulting in double taxation.
“Additionally, the government just announced plan to impose the sum of One Thousand naira levy on Nigerian as an annual vehicle proof of ownership levy.
“This is in addition to Personal Income Tax being paid annually by vehicle owners and thousands of naira being paid annually for renewal of vehicle particulars to the government.
“It is our position that these are issues of double taxation that must be keenly considered by the government.”
