Exclusive: New Evidence Shows Benjamin Joseph Aware of Falana/Citadel and Zinox Deal
A recent document from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute between Citadel Oracle Concept Limited and Zinox Technologies. The document indicates that Benjamin Joseph, CEO of Citadel Oracle, was aware of a contract awarded to his company by the FIRS, despite his previous denials.
The FIRS letter, dated February 11, 2014, states: “Contrary to your client’s claim that they knew nothing about the execution of the contract awarded to them and that they did not receive any payment for the execution of the contract, our records reveal otherwise.”
This revelation challenges Joseph’s assertions of ignorance regarding the contract’s execution and associated payments. Previously, an Abuja High Court had cleared Zinox Technologies and its Chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh, of any wrongdoing in a related ₦170 million FIRS contract dispute. The court also awarded ₦20 million in damages against Joseph for filing frivolous and malicious petitions.
Despite these rulings, a new fraud case was filed against Ekeh in November 2024. The FCT High Court has adjourned the case to March 3, 2025, to address preliminary objections raised by Zinox and its affiliate, Technology Distributions. These objections challenge the court’s jurisdiction and question the validity of the fiat granted to Femi Falana (SAN) by the Attorney General of the Federation.
Zinox’s spokesperson, Chimezie Orisakwe, emphasized that no investigative agency, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the police, has implicated Zinox or its Chairman in any criminal activity. Orisakwe criticized the ongoing legal proceedings as baseless attempts to damage the company’s reputation and business interests.
