The Federal Inland Service (FIRS) has continued its crackdown on tax-defaulting companies, sealing off their premises in Lagos and Abuja.
In Lagos, the team led by Mr. Umar Bukar Gana sealed off Mayssa International Limited situated at 202 Etim Inyang Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, over a tax debt of N133.8 million.
The managing director, who identified himself as Mr. Robert told the team that while the company owed, the debt was not on the scale the FIRS claimed. He added that the organisation was making efforts to pay, an assurance that did not impress the team, which shut the premises.
The team also sealed Modesty Properties Limited, situated at 255, Muri Okunola Street, for a tax liability of N30.7 million. The exercise also affected Joza Global Logistics Limited, situated at 8, Ribadu Road Ikoyi, which was shut for owing N62.4million.
In Abuja, the FIRS team leader, Mrs. Ruth Mandeun ordered the shutdown of the premises of Hakimco Automobiles Limited at the city’s Central Business District. The company is indebted to the tune of N335, 902 million. The manager claimed to have paid the debt, but when given 30 minutes to produce evidence of payment, he disappeared and the company was shut.
On Wednesday in Lagos, the premises of Ace Products and Services, situated at 20, Sanni Ashmiu Close, Awoyaya, Lagos, was shut over a tax debt of N157.3 million.
However, a staff member of the company refused to open the gates for the officials despite properly identifying themselves as FIRS staff. The refusal to open the gates lasted about 15 minutes, after which policemen attached to the team forced the gates open for Gana to order company staff out of the premises for the company to be sealed off.
The team also visited Globasure Technology Limited at 10, Ashabi Adewale Close, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The company is indebted to the tune of N36.5 million, accumulated between 2007 and 2014.
The company’s managing director admitted that the organisation owes, but that the debt was below what the FIRS claimed. He appealed to the team for more time, blaming the failure to pay on the harsh economic situation in the country. His plea was, however, ignored and the company was shut.
