Business
Edo Seals UNIBEN Offices Over Tax Evasion

The Edo State Government has sealed some offices at the University of Benin, including the Office of the Vice Chancellor, over alleged tax evasion.
The Tide source reports that the offices were sealed in the early hours of Monday by officials of the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR).
The other affected offices were the Bursary, Open Registry and Senate Chamber.
The Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, said that it was not true that the institution was sealed.
Ehanire said: “As you can see, I am in my office working. My boss is also in her office working. The office was not sealed.”
Some staff of the institution, who spoke on the development, said that tax deductions were made from their salaries monthly.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the workers wondered why the taxes were not remitted to the state government after they were deducted from their salaries.
They blamed the default in tax remittances to government on the past administration, given that the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, assumed office on December 2.
The Tide reports that when contacted, the officials of BIR, who sealed the offices, declined to give details on the action.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.