Tax Discrimination Allegations Untrue…Yoruba, Igbo Business Owners Among ‘Judgment Debtors’- KW-IRS

The Kwara state Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), has described allegations of engaging in tax discrimination as untrue and unfounded.

 The revenue agency said the story published by an online news outlet wherein these allegations were made is untrue adding that there has been no tax discrimination in the state on the basis of tribe.

Head, Corporate Affairs Department, KW-IRS, Funmilola Oguntumbi in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com on Saturday firmly denied allegations of engaging in tax discrimination while clarifying that there was also no directive from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in this regard as alleged.

The revenue agency also provided the list of business owners who are judgment debtors comprising Yoruba and Igbo business owners.

‘The attention of the Service has been drawn to a false, malicious, and inciting publication by an online news outlet, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), on 31st July, 2024, against the personality of the governor of Kwara state and the Kwara state Internal Revenue Service respectively.

We are tempted to believe that this false narrative was at the instance of some members of the Kwara state Igbo Traders Association (KWAITA), which had recently instituted a legal action against the Service precisely on 12th July, 2024, on the same subject matter at  the Kwara state High Court in the suit KWS/308/24 – NWANKWO SYLVESTER & 90 ORS VS KWARA STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE & 2 ORS. This action of twisting the fact through a media publication was therefore, in bad faith.

In response to the deliberate misinformation, we clarify as follows:

1. Contrary to the unfounded allegations contained in the publication, at no point in time did the governor of Kwara state explicitly or impliedly direct the Service to victimize or act in a particular way towards anyone on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, or other personal social identity. 

2. The execution of judgments was effected on six (6) judgment debtors / taxpayers. Three of them are Igbo traders, while the remaining three are Yoruba traders. For the record, the businesses affected are: 

For the Igbo traders/ judgment debtors:

i. Electrical appliances with business address at 154 Ibrahim Taiwo Road, opposite  stadium  gate, Ilorin. 

ii. Boutique dealers with a business address at 12,Taiwo Isale, Ilorin, opposite Gada Market. 

iii. Dealer in Auto mobile spare parts at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Adjacent Lapariah Tech Owoniboys building, Ilorin 

For the three (3)Yoruba traders/judgment debtors

i. Dealer in phone accessories with business address at 60, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, opposite  Methodist church ,Taiwo Isale, Ilorin 

ii. Trading at 147, beside GTB PLC, Ibrahim Taiwo Road beside, Ilorin

iii.⁠ Educational Services, at 278 upper Taiwo Road beside Mama Ifeoma Store. 

We have made these disclosures as a matter of probity to give  lie to the wicked claims that any specific individuals are being targeted. 

3. The Service has adopted a non-discriminatory policy on prohibition of Associations on assessment and collection of personal income tax in compliance with relevant provisions of the federal law which is the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 (as amended).

The Service will not join issues with the publisher and cohort over issues that are already pending for adjudication before a court of competent jurisdiction as doing same will be Sub Judice.

Against this background, and as a reputable Agency that firmly believes in the principles of the rule of law and judicial process, we would not allow anyone to drag the Service’s hard-earned reputation through the mud.

In conclusion, we advise ICIR and those behind the unpatriotic publication to refrain from heating up the polity by subjecting matters already before a competent court to a court of public opinion where players sometimes intentionally choose which facts to state and which facts to suppress in the pursuit of their agenda.

We urge the platform to refrain from interfering with the constitutional powers and functions of the Court’  the statement added-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you