Kogi shuts down their operations based on a court order
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Kogi has shut down the facilities of Glo and Airtel, two of Nigeria’s four major telecom networks, over their failure to remit N360 million tax, a big amount to an agrarian state that survives mainly on federal handouts from Abuja.
Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) Legal Services and Enforcement Director Saidu Okino led the team that sealed the facilities, which the government said was based on a court order.
Lokoja claims Globacom owes it N300 million in taxes and Airtel N60.03 million as announced by KGIRS Enforcement Department Abubakar Obori, who said the facilities were shut down because the telcos failed to pay the sums.
His words: “It’s very unfortunate that both firms have consistently evaded the fulfilment of their obligations to the state and have accumulated liabilities to the tune of N360,035,000.00.
“By our records, Globacom Nigeria Ltd., Kogi State, unremitted tax liabilities run into N300,000,000, while that of Airtel is N60,035,000.
“These liabilities of the two defaulting firms cover both corporate, individual, Social Service Contribution Levy (SSCL) from 2017 to 2021.”
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Court order
Obori disclosed that a Kogi High Court issued the order to seal the facilities after several notices were issued to Glo and Airtel, per reporting by Nairametrics.
“As a service, we have written several letters to the managements of the two companies to pacify them to pay the taxes they owe the Kogi State government but they have never shown any sign of commitment.”
He insisted that the operations of the two telecom carriers will not be unsealed until they meet their outstanding tax obligations.
He implored other companies operating in the state to always remit their tax to avoid the sealing of their facilities.
