Zenith, FCMB, Keystone, Unity banks sealed off over multibillion-naira debts

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has sealed off five banks and other business premises over Land Use Charge debts of N1.7 billion.

The companies’ premises sealed off were Keystone Bank Plc,  Unity Bank, FCMB, Zenith Bank, Bank of Agriculture, Chicken Republic, Forte Oil, New Nigeria Development Company, GT Bank parking lot and A.G. Leventis building.

Speaking to journalists about the development, Aysha Ahmad, KADIRS’ board secretary and legal adviser, explained that the enforcement exercise was based on the provisions of the law.

Ms Ahmad said the enforcement was in the exercise of powers vested in KADIRS by Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act.

She said that the exercise was also backed by Section 24 Sub-Sections (1, 2, and 3) of the Kaduna State Tax Codification and Consolidation Law, 2020, as amended.

Ms Ahmad said that the accumulated land-based revenue (LUC) liabilities were established by the Kaduna State Geographic Information Service (KADGIS).

She added that the service had sent demand notices to the businesses, which did not yield positive responses or compliance.

“So, we have to resort to enforcement to collect what is due for the state,” she said.

The KADIRS board secretary disclosed that the exercise would be a week-long one.

She added, ”A court order for the immediate closure and taking over of the entire properties until all unpaid land-based revenue liabilities are settled had been secured.”

Ms Ahmad called on taxpayers to comply voluntarily, stressing that the service would go round the major cities across the state to ensure compliance.

(NAN)