Ambode of Lagos goes after tax evaders, defaulters

Governor Ambode of Lagos on Tuesday announced his administration’s readiness to go after tax evaders and defaulters. This much was made known by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, who said that, in line with the plan, the Ministry of Justice had established a Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit.

The unit, he noted, will aid the Lagos Internal Revenue Service in its drive to collect taxes, and will work closely with the Revenue Court, which the Chief Judge of Lagos State recently agreed to set up.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akinwumi Ambode, Mr. Habib Aruna, quoted the Commissioner as observing that the tight cash flow challenges had warranted extreme need for government to creatively shore up its finances.

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He said, “Prosecution and jail term for defaulting tax payers will be a tool that we will be actively using to ensure full compliance. Tax officers, I understand, will be very aggressive in their collection of taxes and the public is hereby advised to cooperate with them because obstruction of these tax officers in their lawful duty can and will lead to prosecution.

“Tax dodgers watch out because the long arm of the law will eventually reach you. All tax payers are also reminded that giving false information is also an offence and can be used in the prosecution of your tax default. If you pay your taxes regularly, you will have no problem,” the Commissioner said.

Lagos State governor, Ambode, has continued to appeal to inhabitants to live up to their social responsibilities as a way to strengthen the hands of government in its developmental strides.

 

 

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