- Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State Government has commenced the prosecution of the Centre for Management Development (CMD), Heyden Petroleum, and 43 other individuals and companies over alleged tax defaults running into billions of Naira.
Lawal Pedro (SAN), the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, disclosed this in a statement released on Monday.
Pedro said the defendants were recently arraigned before the Lagos Revenue Court for recovery of outstanding tax liabilities assessed by the state.
While CMD owe the state government N48.2 million in unpaid tax, Heyden Petroleum Ltd. amassed a total of N33.2 debt.
Some of the other defendants and liabilities as listed by the commissioner include: Chidi Ajaere Emmanuel, N35.4 million; Ifeanyi Uzoaru, N13.5 million; Mrs Olufunmilola Abe, N30.7 million; and IENG Nigeria Ltd., N67.1 million.
Others include James Fisher Nig. Ltd., N27.1 million; V Care Diagnostics Ltd., N14.2 million; Venture Garden Nig. Ltd., N72.3 million; Doheney Service, N14.3 million; Native Media Ltd., N24.1 million and N3.5 million; Saro Africa Int. Ltd., N24.5 million; and Sheriff Deputies Ltd., N132.2 million, among others.
Also listed are Unique V. Capital Management Ltd., N12.3 million; Alkones Petroleum & Gas Ltd., N17.7 million; Century Power Generation Ltd., N18.1 million.
GMT Energy Resources Ltd. owes N145.9 million; Leaders & Company Ltd., N67.1 million; Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, N38.7 million.
Also making the list of defaulters are Barry Callebaut Nig. Ltd. with N33.5 million debt; Quick Mix Ltd., N19 million; AA Rescue, N27.8 million; Funds & Electronics Transfer, N97.8 million.
Raybond Technical Ltd., N61.8 million; S.O. and U Ltd., N38 million; Union Diagnostics, N23.6 million.
Eyowo Integrated Payment owes N16.2 million; Dee-Jones Petroleum & Gas, N55.9 million; Compact Manifold & Engineering Services, N25 million.
Pedro said several defaulters earlier served pre-action notices had since paid and would no longer face prosecution.
He urged taxpayers to comply with tax laws, especially filing annual returns and paying assessed liabilities.
“Failure to comply attracts penalties, interest and possible prosecution with attendant consequences,” he said.