By Onwukwe Ezeru,
Umuahia
The Abia State Board of Internal Revenue has sealed the premises of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike ( MOUAU) over alleged tax default.
The university, according to BIR, is owing N120, 751, 998.28 being tax deducted from staff but not remitted to the state revenue board by the management of the institution.
The institution was sealed following a court order obtained by BIR in Umuahia.
The court order was signed by Justice Kelvin Wosu of the Abia High Court Umuahia.
Both students and staff of the university were unable to gain entry into the university after it was sealed.
An attempt by aggrieved students to forcefully gain entry into the premises was prevented by the management considering the far-reaching implications of such action.
But when contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mrs. Adanma Odefa, confirmed the incident but refused to comment on why the management of the institution failed to remit tax deducted from staff.
Investigations revealed that this would be the first time the 27-year-institution would be sealed over tax default.
Meanwhile, a popular event centre, Wonder Land, owned by Senator Chris Adighje was also sealed by BIR for allegedly owing N7, 696,512.82.