ITRealms:
Swift Networks, an internet provider, and Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria
Limited belonging to Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, had their offices sealed yesterday by
the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) along with other companies in Lagos,
Abuja, Kaduna and Owerri for failure to remit huge amounts of money in Value
Added Tax (VAT), ITRealms reports.
Swift Networks, which
has its office on 31, Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, failed
to remit N702 million to the government had its office sealed by FIRS
officials led by the Director of Enforcement, Emeka Obiagwu .
Reacting to the FIRS
claims, the Chief Operating Officer of Swift Networks, Chuma Okoye, pleaded
against the shutdown order, but was told by Obiagwu that his company should
have complied with the laws governing business in the country, insisting
“Several notices have been served on the companies and I believe several
moves were also made to compel the companies to remit their taxes. But most of
these companies turn deaf ears; that is why we usually give them long
rope.”
However, a subtle
drama ensued at the office of Pan Ocean Oil Corporation, as the company’s
security-men attempting to prevent FIRS officials from carrying out their
duties, which took the intervention of some members of the company to proceed
with enforcement.
Efforts to get FIRS
officials to give another period of grace were futile. The management of the
firm was told to send representatives to the FIRS office to discuss how to
remit the $29.2 owed in VAT.
ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!
