1st July 2013 THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER, THE DEPUTY BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION, 11 WALTER CARRINGTON CRESCENT, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS. Your Excellency, RE: BARR. JIMOH IBRAHIM AS A GUEST SPEAKER AT LONDON METRPOLITAN POLICE AND NIGERIA SFU EVENT ON CORPORATE FRAUD Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) is a coalition of over hundred and fifty Anti- corruption organizations whose primary aim is to constructively combat corruption vigorously and to ensure the effective monitoring of the various Anti-graft agencies in its activities in the fight against corruption and to enthrone transparency, accountability, probity, and total commitment in the fight to eradicate corruption in Nigeria. It has come to our notice that the Special Fraud Unit of Nigerian Police Force, the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the UK Metropolitan Police are organizing a weeklong conference on Corporate Fraud from July 1 -5, 2013. It has also come to our notice that one of the guest speakers at the event is Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim. Considering the numerous businesses in Mr. Ibrahim’s group of companies, it might not be incorrect to refer to him as a business man. A critical review of the performances of those businesses lives no one in doubt, the not-too-impressive performance of those companies, with allegations of malpractices in the trail of Mr. Ibrahim’s management supervision and involvement. It is worthy of note that Mr. Ibrahim has over the past years been under investigation for several frauds related acts amongst which are: 1. Investigation for fraud by the Economic and Other Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) for tax evasion in the value of N3.5billion (approximately 14million pounds) 2. Arraignment before a New York Court a month ago by Aersale Inc., an aircraft leasing company over nearly $8million owed in leasing fees, interest, costs and attorney fees. 3. Accused of embezzling N36billion from a Federal aviation bailout fund administered by the CBN. The money was meant to shore up the airlines. Mr. Ibrahim has, aside his personal enterprises, bought over a number of Nigerian companies and grounded all with the exception of none. These include Air Nigeria, Energy oil, Nicon Insurance, NICON airways and most recently, Newswatch Magazine. Employees of these companies have alleged Mr. Ibrahim had deducted tax and pension contributions from their salaries which neither remitted to them nor the government. All these information are in the public domain and I have no doubt known to the British Government. We believe that the United Kingdom Citizens will be concerned to note that the Metropolitan Police, funded through their taxes is associated with co-organising a programme with such personality as a resource person. No doubt, the Nigeria Special Fraud Unit, Central Bank of Nigeria and Asset Management Company of Nigeria might careless about their reputation as it concerns this matter. It is our assumption that the British Government and people are not in league with these institutions in legitimizing fraud and corporate mismanagement through this event. It is to this effect that we hereby implore the British Government, through your Excellency’s office to urgently drop Mr. Ibrahim from list of Speakers or dissociate the London Metropolitan Police from the partnership, if truly, the British Government is indeed innocent of this conscious attempt by friends of Mr. Ibrahim in SFU to repackage him for public acceptance. We thank you for your anticipated prompt and necessary actions. Yours sincerely, Olanrewaju Suraju Chairman
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 11:56:51 +0000