FIRS Seals Offices in Lagos, Abuja Over Tax Evasion

The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, on Wednesday, July 27, sealed some companies in Abuja and Lagos in furtherance to its tax compliance exercise.

The FIRS team in Abuja led by Mr. Chinazor Edeh, shut down the office of Taleveras, an energy firm operating from the Maitaima area of the city. The agency said the company was owing over N667 million in tax liabilities.

A statement from the agency said that before sealing off the company, Edeh told Taleveras’ Chief Security Officer, the highest ranking official available at the time of the FIRS team’s visit, that the firm had failed to pay the balance of its tax liabilities after it paid N50 million, following the sealing off of its premises in May. Edeh explained that the sealing-off of the company yesteday was to ensure the balance was paid.

Also sealed by the enforcement team was Jardin Nigeria Limited, a landscaping/project management company, with an office at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Jardin was said to be owing over N129m in taxes.

An official of the company, who identified himself simply as Mr. Olu, admitted that the company owes, but argued that some state governments are also owing the company over N2 billion.

After Edeh advised the company to pay 50 per cent of its tax liabilities, the latter reached an agreement with the FIRS on a structured payment of the balance.

In Lagos, two companies were shut in the Ikeja area by the FIRS team, led by Anita Erinne. In recent times, the FIRS team have shut several offices over tax payment default.