Reps panel invites EFCC, DSS, others over N6.5bn unpaid revenue from Lagos Trade Fair Complex

An Ad hoc Committee of the House of Representatives has summoned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate N6.5 billion in unpaid revenue owed to the Federal Government by the Lagos Trade Fair Complex.

The committee in charge of looking into the Federal Government’s leased properties invited the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Aulic Nigeria Ltd, Plaza Owners Association, and others.

The decision to summon the entities was made during an investigative hearing on Tuesday.

In his presentation, Francis Dajilak, Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Lagos International Trade Complex, claimed that Aulic Nigeria Ltd, which was given the complex’s concession between 2007 and 2017, has yet to remit money to the federal government.

He explained that the concessionaire had some difficulties because the DSS, which had previously occupied a portion of the land where the complex is located, refused to relocate.

Mr Dajilak stated that Aulic Limited would not be able to begin operations until 2008. He also stated that the company did not pay any taxes to the government between 2007 and 2017.

He informed the committee that the EFCC was invited to intervene, but that the commission was unable to recover the funds.

Following the revelation, a member of the Committee, Sani Bala of Kano State, moved for all of the aforementioned agencies to appear before the committee on an undetermined date.