Lagos to prosecute 45 firms, individuals over tax debts

Also on the list of alleged debtors are Heyden Petroleum Limited (N33,223,508.93k), AA Rescue (N27,815,988.53k) and Primero Transport Services Limited (operators of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system) (N43,401,308.09k).

One of the individuals charged is Chidi Ajaere Emmanuel, CEO of God is Good Motors, who allegedly owes N35.4m in tax debt.

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According to a statement by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), the move followed repeated notices to the defaulting taxpayers.

The state stated that individual liabilities range from about N13.5 million to over N35 million, while corporate entities owe significantly higher sums.

Pedro said the affected entities have been taken before the Revenue Court for prosecution and recovery of assessed tax debts after failing to comply with statutory obligations.

Pedro explained that the prosecution is aimed at enforcing compliance with the state’s tax laws and recovering outstanding revenues critical to public service delivery.

He, however, noted that taxpayers who had earlier been served pre-action notices but subsequently settled their liabilities would no longer face prosecution.

The Attorney-General urged all residents and corporate entities in the state to comply voluntarily with tax regulations, particularly the filing of annual returns and prompt payment of assessed taxes.

He warned that failure to comply would attract penalties, interest, and possible prosecution, with its attendant legal consequences.