By Onuora Aninwobodo
The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has denied the allegation of a consulting firm, Zilcon Higgs International Limited, accusing its Chairman, Dr Mohammed Bello of involvement in a multi million dollar fraud.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, RMAFC clarified that it was never involved in the award of any contract to Zilcon Higgs or withholding any money due to the company.
The Commission described the accusations made by Zilcon Higgs in a Daily Sun publication dated September 13, 2024, and another story by the same newspaper dated 27th November, 2024 titled, “Oil Producing States Kick Against Planned Payment Swap at RMAFC” as spurious.
In the said publications, the CEO of Zilcon Higgs, Sampson Orji, had accused RMAFC of failing to authorize payment of consultancy fees for the job it carried out, but which the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, engaged another firm, Tiaras White Consult Ltd, to carry out the same job as the official consultant for the oil-producing states.
In response, the Commission stated that Zilcon Higgs was only laying claims for payments of a job they were not contracted for. RMAFC clarified further that no payments had been made to the oil-producing states or any consultant, as the payments require confirmation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Finance.
RMAFC indicated that it refrained from making public statements on the issue as the matter is pending before the Courts and therefore subjudice.
“However, owing to the continued blackmail and campaign of calumny against the Commission and its Chairman by Zilcon Higgs, RMAFC felt compelled to provide clarifications to disabuse the minds of the gullible public who may be misled by the unwise publications, containing wild allegations and a campaign of calumny against RMAFC and its Chairman, ” the statement said.
“We must warn Zilcon Higgs to desist from making further defamatory statements , allow due process to prevail and the courts to decide in accordance with the law.
“Nonetheless, the Commission and its Chairman reserve the right to take any legal steps considered necessary to safeguard its reputation and the integrity of its Chairman against Zilcon Higgs and any media outlet that published or continues to publish such outright unwarranted falsehood. “
