Delta Govt Secured Judgment Against Eight Companies Over Tax Evasion

Delta State Government has said there will be no hiding place for tax defaulters as it would continue to do all in its powers to ensure tax compliance among citizens and corporate entitles operating within the State.

The Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Sir Monday John Onyeme, made the declaration during the enforcement of the State Revenue Court Judgment secured against eight companies operating in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State.

Onyeme, who spoke at the end of the exercise reiterated government desire to ensure tax compliance among the citizenry, stressing that the remarkable developmental efforts of the Okowa administration was evidence that tax revenues were being put to judicious use in the State.

He urged Deltans to support the government by performing their civic responsibility of paying their taxes promptly, rather than waiting to be coerced.

The State Government had gone to enforced the State Revenue Court Judgment secured against eight companies, for failure to file Annual Employee Income Tax Returns in contravention of section 81(2) of the Personal Income Tax Act of 2011 (As Amended).

In the Judgement delivered at the Ughelli Revenue Court Division presided over by His Honour A. A. Ighoverio Esq., the Court ordered the defendants to pay the sum of N500,000.00 (Five hundred thousand Naira only) each to the State Board of Internal Revenue as penalty for failure to file their Statutory Annual Returns on emoluments of their employees. The enforcement team was led by the Board’s Director of Enforcement and compliance, Mr Joel Ogege.

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Sir Onyeme, who was represented by Mr Joel Ogege, maintained that far from being punitive, the enforcement exercise served to create greater awareness on the need for citizens to support government by paying their taxes promptly.

Companies affected by the exercise include Godspower Petroleum Nigeria Limited, Domex Classic Hotel, Dositech Oil and Gas Limited, Umbrella Gas Limited, Wilmas Petrol Station as well as DESTACO Petrol Station, all in Ughelli.

Others are: J. A. Awenayeri Petroleum, Ughelli and Godstime Petroleum Limited, Agbarho.