Book on Uwaifo, JSC for Launch in Lagos

Steve Aya

The public presentation and launch of a book on retired Justice of the Supreme Court, S.O. Uwaifo, CON, will on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, hold in Lagos. The book ‘A Legacy of Jurisprudential Wisdom and Substantive Justice’, is a culmination of his years at the Court of Appeal and the Apex Court. 

The book contains not just his judgements, but also the thought processes and principles that informed them.  

The event will be chaired by the former Governor of Edo State, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor; the Book Reviewer will be Professor Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, while former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN will unveil and launch the book.

Tax Evasion: FG Renews Legal Battle Against SAIPEM Contracting Company

The Federal Government of Nigeria has renewed its legal battle with onshore and offshore construction giant, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, and two of its officials namely Michele Poggi and Giani Di Petro, in a bid to recover the sum of $42,068,874.35, allegedly owed it by onshore and offshore construction giant as evaded tax.

In a seven-count amended charge filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos by a team of nine Lawyers led by Bolanle Oniyangi, it was stated that: Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, Michele Poggi, Giani Di Petro sometime between 2010-2014 within the jurisdiction of the Court, whilst carrying out taxable services in the course of doing business, were obligated to pay companies income tax for $42,068,874.35 (Forty-two million, Sixty-eight thousand, Eight hundred and seventy-four Dollars, Thirty-five Cents) and did fail to pay the said taxes and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 40 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service Establishment Act 2007 (as amended).

It was also alleged that Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, Michele Poggi, and Giani Di Petro sometime between 2010 and 2014 within the jurisdiction of the Court, whilst carrying out taxable services in the course of doing business, failed to file accurate and complete company income tax returns in the prescribed form and manner for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 years of assessment for $42,068,874.35 for the purpose of paying the relevant tax administered by the Service, and in so doing, committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 55 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended).

Furthermore, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, Michele Poggi, Giani Di Petro, sometime in 2010 and 2013, whilst carrying out taxable services in the normal course of business of Saipem Nigeria Limited, failed to issue tax invoices for services rendered within the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, in the sum of $34,656,833, and in so doing committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Value Added Tax Act of 1993 (as amended).

February 14, 2025, has been fixed for the hearing of the case.