A coalition of civil society organisations, CSOs has critisised House of Representatives member Muhammed Kazaure’s allegations that the Central Bank of Nigeria misappropriated 89 trillion naira in stamp duty proceeds.
At a protest to the National assembly, the group said the allegations leveled against the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele are unfounded.
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A House of Representatives member, Muhammed Kazaure had raised concerns about an alleged theft of stamp duty proceedings running to 89 trillion naira.
The lawmaker also claimed he had documents to back his claims that prove that the funds is in the possession of the apex bank.
Muhammed Kazaure further accused the CBN, of not remitting stamp duty revenues to the federal government.
The protesters turned out en-masse to accuse the lawmaker of mischief.
The group also alleged that the implementation of the cashless policy and redesign of naira notes, are policies that do not sit well with some members of the political class.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Dr Bassey Etuk Wiliams said: “Our attention has been drawn to the funny allegation flying around about stamp duty mismanaged money allegedly to a tune of N89 trillion according to a dissolved presidential committee that has Hon. Kazaure as Secretary.
“We are amazed that despite the dissolution of the said committee, he is still pressing for submission of the report of what has been directed to be dissolved and going about slandering the name of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
“Our findings as a group since this matter has come to public domain revealed to us that even the total banking deposit in the country is not up to N50 trillion not to talk of the said amount, so one wonders where the said sum emanated from and how they arrived at such amount, yet the country is still broke.
“We also wonder why a member of the parliament will be made secretary of an alleged secret presidential committee when the report will still need to be submitted to the parliament for adoption, if at all such committee ever exist. The rule of separation of power is still in force and our democracy should not be turned to autocratic rule.
“Our findings further revealed that a committee was officially set up by Presidency in 2021 to review the stamp duty money based on allegations on its remittance, this committee was headed by the attorney general and minister of justice while the chairman of Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) is the secretary of the committee with directives to reconcile the collected stamp duty money and revert back. The committee is still working, one wonders when this Hon Kazaure committee was set up.
