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Saturday, April 10, 2010

Post Script: Chevron, EFCC and FIRS Are Not Above the Law

Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day.

~ Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)



On 1st July, 2005, ABZ Integrated Limited, a Nigerian company based in Abuja broke the news of the $10.8 billion tax evasion and fraud by the Nigerian branch of the Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX Euronext: CHTEX) is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California in the United States of America.

Following these disclosures, ABZ was duly engaged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria under the Executive Chairmanship of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as a consultant for the recovery of the unpaid taxes from Chevron Nigeria Limited. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) under Dr. (Mrs.) Obiageli Ezekwesili acknowledged the engagement and financial entitlement of ABZ Integrated Limited

I have been following this case since I reported the $10.8 Billion tax evasion and fraud allegation against Chevron on Monday, August 01, 2005 and also posted the refutation by Chevron in their rejoinder on Wednesday, August 03, 2005.

In the last quarter of 2005, the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), under the chairmanship of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, had a public hearing on the allegation of $10.8 billion tax evasion and fraud against Chevron Nigeria Limited. And in September 2006, the Chairman vindicated ABZ and confirmed that Chevron evaded tax as alleged and was ordered to refund the sum of $492 million. NEITI’s auditors also validated the claims of ABZ. But Chevron has only refunded a fraction of the total Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) evaded, without paying the penalties required by PPT Act. And ABZ has not been paid its entitlements since Chevron has refunded the sum of $866 million of the Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) evaded so far.

The untold story of the whole financial scandal as reported by Fidelis Uzonwanne, the Managing Consultant of ABZ Integrated Limited has been published on Nigerians Report in seven parts since Wednesday, March 31, 2010 to date.

I have nothing personal against the Chevron Corporation, First Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and they have the right to challenge or dismiss the statement of ABZ Integrated Limited. But if they fail to prove that ABZ Integrated is wrong, then they must follow the due process of the law to let justice prevail.
Chevron, EFCC and FIRS are not above the law.

We must not condone corrupt practices at all levels of public service or private practice whether indoors or outdoors. We must not compromise the ethics of equity and justice no matter the temptations, trials and weaknesses of life.

We must not be afraid to preach and publish the truth and we must practice what we preach and teach or hang our heads as cowards and retards.

We must stand up for what is just and right or we shall lick the dust off the feet of those who perpetrate and perpetuate corruption and we shall forfeit the dignity and integrity of humanity.


Whosoever knows and sees what is bad and does not report, prevent or stop it is equally bad, evil and wicked as the devil.

Corruption causes the destruction of human civilization.
If we do not destroy corruption today, corruption will destroy us tomorrow.

I do not compromise my faith in truth for selfish interests.


Faithfully,
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
The Publisher/Editor


Related articles from newspapers, magazines, journals, and more
Chevron Contests $2.7bn Alleged Tax Evasion.
News wire article from: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire July 25, 2005 700+ words ...Byline: Mike Oduniyi US oil major, Chevron Nigeria Limited, which is currently caught...discovered non-payments of Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) by Chevron group for some 66 installments. Chevron, according to the consultants, evaded...
Alleged Tax Fraud: Chevron Rebuffs FG.
News wire article from: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire August 7, 2005 700+ words ...present at the meeting with Chevron and the EFCC consultant. Whatever...2003 and November 2004, the Chevron Group defrauded the nation of...discovered non payments of Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) by the Chevron group for some 66 instalments...
Chevron faces Nigerian tax probe.(Tax consultants alleges the company of...
Newspaper article from: Weekly Petroleum Argus August 1, 2005 700+ words ...EFCC) have accused US major Chevron of evading tax payments worth...in response to the report on Chevron that ABZ submitted to it in...thereby evading petroleum profit tax (PPT), and had also claimed for unmerited tax concessions. Chevron denies all of the allegations...
PHILIPPINE LAWMAKERS EYE "WINDFALL PROFIT TAX" ON OIL FIRMS.
News wire article from: AsiaPulse News July 28, 2008 700+ words ...for a temporary "windfall profit tax" on the country's oil firms...government income from the windfall profit tax can then be used to augment...the revival of the windfall profit tax. Santiago's remarks came...liter on Saturday. Petron, Chevron Philippines Inc. and ...
Tax Evasion - Chevron Refutes House of Reps Committee Report.
Newspaper article from: Vanguard (Nigeria) September 12, 2006 700+ words ...its report, directed that Chevron should pay a fine for irregularities...from the company pointed out. Chevron recalled that the EFCC has...saying The statement released by Chevron Management also pointed out...explained that the total Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) of the company in 1997...
Storms held back Chevron, Anadarko.(third quarter profits)
News wire article from: Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX) Cook, Lynn J. October 29, 2005 700+ words ...Byline: Lynn J. Cook Oct. 29--Chevron and Anadarko saw third-quarter...Republican to float the idea of a windfall profit tax on energy companies. Judd Gregg...Americans pay their heating bills. Chevron, the biggest player on the Gulf...
Unveiling the $10.8 Billion Oil Tax Saga.
News wire article from: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire August 7, 2005 700+ words ...EFCC for uncovering the alleged Chevron's tax fraud. ABZ said, according...516 purportedly recovered from Chevron. According to the consultant...discovered non payments of Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) by the Chevron group for some 66 installments...
FG to Publish Oil Majors Account by October.
News wire article from: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire August 16, 2005 700+ words ...namely Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Agip and Elf, which...Commission (EFCC), linked Chevron to non-payment of $2.7 billion in Petroleum Profit Tax. This was followed by...namely Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Eni (Agip), Total...
Oil Executives Warn Against Windfall Tax As Profits Attacked; Senators Question...
Magazine article from: Investor's Business Daily November 10, 2005 700+ words ...recent weeks to place a windfall profit tax on the oil companies. At least...said he might support a windfall profit tax. In addition to Exxon's Raymond...from: David O'Reilly, CEO of Chevron; James Mulva, CEO of ConocoPhillips...
AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Oil and utilities highlights to 15:45 BST.
News wire article from: Europe Intelligence Wire August 28, 2006 700+ words ...it expects its windfall profit tax to reach 9-10 bln yuan...10 bln yuan windfall profit tax this yr HONG KONG (XFN...it expects its windfall profit tax to reach 9-10 bln yuan...contract from Cabinda/Chevron in Angola OSLO (AFX...



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