By Ismaeel Uthman
Osun state government has accused some corporate organisations and Federal Government agencies in the state of owing over N12 billion in both corporate and income tax within the spate of 13 years.
The Special Adviser to the Osun State Government on Tax matters, Barrister Gbenga Akano disclosed this at a press conference in Osogbo.
He listed those tax defaulters to include: Globacom with N7,600,595,640.00 (Seven Billion, six hundred million, five hundred and ninety five thousand, six hundred and forty naira) 9 mobile with N882,448,475,00 (Eight hundred and eighty two million, four hundred and forty eight thousand, four hundred and forty eight naira) between the period of 2005 and 2017.
Others are: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife with: N1,884,770,939,45 (One billion, Eight hundred and forty-four million, seven hundred and seventy thousand, nine hundred and thirty nine naira, forty-five kobo) between the period of 2015 and 2016.
Wetland Construction Nig. Ltd, N8,686,336.41 (Eight Million, six hundred and eighty six thousand, three hundred and thirty six marauding, forty one-kobo) with ten per cent penalty and 21 per cent interest between the period of year 2015 and 2016.
Lapo Agric Development Initiative with N7,078,313.20 (seven million, seventy-eight thousand, three hundred and thirteen naira, twenty kobo) with ten per cent penalty and 21 per cent interest between the period of year 2013 and 2016.
Nigeria Custom Service with liability of 111,221,381.37 (One hundred and million, two hundred and twenty one thousand, three hundred and eighty-one naira, thirty –seven kobo, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps with N128,289,909.12 (One Twenty Eight Million, two hundred and eighty nine thousand, nine hundred and nine naira, twelve kobo) among others.
Akano submitted that the state government gives zero tolerance for tax evasion and avoidance, describing it as “a great sin against the human race for justice to reign”.
“We are set to begin criminal prosecution and make sure that these aforementioned companies face the full wrath of the law.
“We are by this press briefing informing all defaulters that failure to redeem their taxes and levies will leave the board with no other option than to explore all legal means”.
