Tax debt: FIRS shuts 11 firms in Lagos, Owerri, Port Harcourt

The federal inland revenue service (FIRS) says it has sealed the premises of 11 tax-defaulting companies in Lagos, Owerri and Port Harcourt.

A statement by the agency said it sealed off two companies in Port Harcourt, six in Owerri and three in Lagos.

“In Port Harcourt, the FIRS enforcement team shut the offices of Fiddil commercial company at the Trans-Amadi area of the city over tax liabilities totalling N150,524,655,00, which was accumulated between 2010 and 2015,” the statement read.

“The enforcement team, on arrival, met the chief security officer of the firm, who claimed the company had not been in operation for some time. The chief security officer, who identified himself as Omoni, told the team that there were no members of staff in the office and promised that the director of the company would be informed of the development.

“After a few minutes, the FIRS team gained entrance into the premises and the firm’s chief executive officer came out of hiding to explain that the company has not been doing business, but had made arrangements to pay before the enforcement team’s arrival. FIRS officials, however, asked the 12 workers out of the office complex before sealing it off.”

According to the statement, the second company visited in Port Harcout was Annajul Rosari limited located at 102 Rumuogba estate, which has a debt of N50,998,582.70.

“In Owerri, the offices of Roche construction Nigeria limited were shut over the company’s failure to pay company income tax (CIT) and education tax (EDT) dating back to 2011,” the statement read.

“The company has a total liability of N218,939,417.29. Other companies distrained included Benkolo Investment Limited, which owes N15,728,386.34; Kolo Industries Nigeria Limited, with a tax debt of N14,279,547.32; Frank Gilly Nigeria Limited, which has a tax liability of N26,892,862.23; Owerri Hotels, which owes N14,802,846.22. Equally shut was Summer Suites Limited, a hotel which owes N1,985,793.20.

“In Lagos, the FIRS closed the premises of Sycamore Consulting Limited, 2 Garba Close off Amodu Ojikutu Street, Victoria Island, which owes N59,977,290. The enforcement team also shut Itex Integrated Services at 163, Sinari Daranijo Street, Victoria Island, over tax liabilities of N99, 390, 324. Similarly affected was Jallis Construction Company, which has a tax debt of N81, 701, 000.”