The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has launched an attack on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over the closure of its offices in Abuja, demanding an apology and refuting claims of outstanding ground rent payments.
Thank you for reading this post; don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
At a press conference held at the Revenue House in Abuja on Monday, FIRS officials condemned what they described as an “unjustifiable invasion” by FCTA personnel who sealed two offices located at No. 12 and 14, Sokode Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, over alleged non-payment of 25-year ground rent.
Director of the Facility Management Department, Mr. Tyofa Abeghe, categorically denied the debt allegations, stating that FIRS had already settled the disputed amount. According to Abeghe, a demand notice from Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) dated September 2023 was honoured with a payment of N2,364,003.26 three months after issuance, covering ground rent for the fiscal years 2000 to 2024.
However, frustration mounted when the payment was neither receipted nor acknowledged despite FIRS writing a follow-up letter dated February 19, 2024, requesting confirmation. The letter was acknowledged by the AGIS front desk, but received no response.
“Nothing could be further from the truth on the claim, as FIRS had paid the said money,” Abeghe stated, expressing displeasure over the embarrassing enforcement action.
Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Kunle Ogidi, condemned what he termed “administrative rascality” by FCTA officials, arguing they would have discovered the payment had been made if proper due diligence had been conducted.
“As a law-abiding agency, FIRS does not owe FCTA ground rent on any of its offices in FCT or anywhere, including the ones invaded by these officials,” Ogidi stated. He questioned the logic behind the selective enforcement, noting that FIRS operates about seven offices on Sokode Crescent alone.
The controversy has escalated tensions between the two federal agencies, particularly during what FIRS describes as a crucial period ahead of the signing of tax reform bills. In a statement via X (formerly Twitter), Arabirin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, accused the Wike-led FCTA of targeting the agency unfairly.
“It’s so unprofessional of the Wike-led FCTA to close our office, distracting staff going about their duties when we did nothing wrong,” Atoyebi stated, calling the action “malicious” and warning the FCTA against using FIRS as a scapegoat.
Media officials Collins Omokaro and Atoyebi stressed the need to strengthen inter-agency collaboration while apologising to staff members and taxpayers who were traumatised during the enforcement action.
FIRS maintains it has evidence of payment and insists all obligations to FCTA have been settled, demanding both an apology and proper acknowledgement of the settled dues.
Follow the AkweyaTV channel on WhatsApp: http://bit.ly/3I7mQVx
Or scan the QR code:
