NIGERIA MASTERWEB DAILY NEWS

*Arik Airline Chairman in EFCC net over N4billion Tax Evation By Lateef Lawal The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is extending its searchlight to the air transport sector of Nigeria's economy with the aim of apprehending airlines that have been evading tax payment and committing other economic crimes. In its first move, operatives of EFCC reportedly swooped on the headquarters of Arik Airlines on Tuesday, 29 September, 2009 in search of the airline's Chairman/Chief Executive, Sir Joseph Ikhide Arumemi-Johnson over alleged tax evasion by the airline running to over N4 billion. The search by the EFCC Operatives which started at about 11am lasted till 4.30 pm on tuesday with movements into and out of the Arik Airlines premises restricted while the security men were busy going through the account books of the airline. Several officials of the airline were also questioned as to the where about of the chairman.While the EFCC were leaving the compound five hours after, they left a specific instruction that the chairman must show up today-Wednesday-or risk being declared wanted.They however whisked away the chief pilot of the airline, Captain Victor Egonu. In an press statement, the Media Officer of Arik Air, Banji Ola said: "Operatives of the EFCC visited our Lagos headquarters office today over claims of purported irregularity in tax remittances. They have since withdrawn and the airline has continued its normal operations. They took away our chief pilot, Captain Victor Egonu." Latest reports reaching NigerianAviationNews early today from EFCC indicated that the Arik Airline Chairman,Sir Arumemi-Johnson has reported himself at the Lagos office of the EFCC. It was gathered that before the latest development,several invitations were sent by the commission to the chairman to come and explain certain things regarding the finances of the airline but were not honoured. Posted by Lateef Lawal