5th Columnists Behind Allegations Against NRS Chairman To Discredit Tinubu Govt – Arewa Think Tank

The Arewa Think Tank has alleged that fifth columnists are behind online allegations against the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, over the Frontier Exploration Fund, describing the claims as an attempt to discredit the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Convener of the group, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, urged Nigerians to treat the allegations with caution, saying Adedeji had denied the claims and described them as sponsored fake news aimed at damaging his reputation and that of the NRS.

“We are concerned about the growing pattern of sponsored allegations and sensational reports targeted at officials who are playing critical roles in the ongoing reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration,” Yakubu said.

“The latest allegations against the NRS Chairman are unfortunate and should not be allowed to distract the government from its reform agenda.”

The controversy followed an online report alleging that $279 million had been transferred from the Frontier Exploration Fund’s account to unnamed accounts, claiming that Adedeji and the NRS were aware of the alleged movement.

The report also alleged that the development had placed the NRS Chairman under pressure, with some stakeholders purportedly calling for a forensic audit of the Fund.

However, Adedeji rejected the allegations, describing the report as false and an attempt to tarnish his reputation and that of the NRS.

Adedeji also questioned the credibility of the reports, alleging that similar language and narratives were published across different online platforms, suggesting they originated from the same source.

Reacting, Yakubu said the technical nature of the Frontier Exploration Fund made it important for the public to rely on verifiable information rather than unsubstantiated online claims.

He explained that the Fund was established under Section 9 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, to finance petroleum exploration activities in frontier basins where commercially viable hydrocarbon reserves have not been fully established.

According to him, the frontier basins include the Bida, Benue Trough, Anambra, Chad, Sokoto and Dahomey basins, while the Fund supports activities such as geological mapping, seismic surveys, exploratory drilling and basin studies.

“We must be careful not to turn every allegation on social media into a conviction. If there are genuine questions about public funds, the appropriate institutions should investigate them,” Yakubu said.

He urged journalists and online publishers to verify serious allegations and give accused individuals and institutions an opportunity to respond before publication.

Yakubu described Adedeji as one of the officials driving the Tinubu administration’s economic and revenue reforms, urging him to remain focused on his mandate.