Osun Set To Drag Tax Defaulters To Court Over N12.5b Debt
Osun state government through its Internal Revenue Services has concluded plan to prosecute tax defaulters owing the state government about N12.5 Billion.
The Special Adviser to Gov. Rauf Aregbesola on Tasks and Revenue Matters, Mr Gbenga Akano, who disclosed this to newsmen in Osogbo said the state government has zero tolerance for tax evasion and avoidance because it is a great sin against human race.
Akano said that several demands notices had been issued and several meetings held with affected organisations without any fruitfulness.
The tax defaulters include: Globacom Nigeria Limited N7.6Bn , O.A.U, Ile-Ife, N1,8bn, SAMMYA NIGERIA LIMITED, N5.2m, WETLAND CONSTRUCTION NIGERIA LIMITED, N8.6m, 9 Mobiles N8.8.
Also, Nigeria Custom Services N111,221,381, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps N128,289,909, Nigeria Prison Services N44, 567, 867, Center for Energy Research and Development N42, 393,130.
Others include: Nigeria Immigration service, N25,489,546, Centre for Energy Research and Development N42,393,130, NACTEM, N36,578,427, OAUTH, Ile-Ife, N1.18bn.
Akano however gave the tax defaulters seven days ultimatum to pay their debts or face criminal prosecution according to the constitution.
The Commissioner for Information , Mr Baderinwa Adelani, further said effort at generating revenue in the state has been so tasking, without relying solely on the Federal Allocation given to the state.
He said taxable person or corporate organisations who failed to file their tax returns with the OIRS has breached the provisions of the law which is criminal and punishable under tax laws.
Adelani therefore urged the defaulters to pay their tax to the state government in order to avoid being included in the criminal prosecution.
