Dangote, MTN, Others Dragged to Tax Tribunal

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Dangote Flour Mills, a new generation bank, MTN Nigeria and Obajana Agrosacks Limited have been dragged before a tax appeal tribunal for north central zone sitting in Jos, Plateau State, for tax evasion worth hundreds of millions of Naira.

The firms were sued by the governments of Benue, Kogi and Kwara States.

While Dangote Flour Mills was sued by Kwara State government, MTN Nigeria was sued by Benue State government, with the financial institution and Obajana Agrosacks Limited sued by Kogi State government.

The Tax Appeal Tribunal is empowered to adjudicate over disputes arising from Companies Income Tax Act, CAP. 60 LFN 1990, Personal Income Tax Act No. 104, 1993; Petroleum Profit Tax Act CAP. 354 LFN 1990; Value Added Tax Act No.102,1993 and Capital Gains Tax Act CAP. 42 LFN 1990.

Chairman of the tax appeal tribunal, Mr Richard Bala, urged parties involved to cooperate for the success of the tribunal cases.

He said the tribunal, within its jurisdiction, shall assess the collection and accounting of revenue accruable to the government of the federation.

The Tax Controller, FIRS, Jos, Plateau State, Mr Joel Emmanuel, said he believed the tribunal will address the lingering challenges encountered in the collection of tax which is always with less cost compared to going to the normal court.

Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service Board, Mr Arlat Dashe, also noted that the tribunal is going to relieve the board of all the pains it has been passing through in getting her income tax from federal government agencies such as customs among others.