Lagos Sues 45 Companies, Individuals Over N22bn Unpaid Taxes

Lagos State government has dragged 45 individuals and companies to the Revenue Court for allegedly owing billions of naira in taxes.

Among those charged before the Revenue Court are Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, which operates Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2); DAAR Communications Plc, owners of AIT; and Leaders & Company Limited, publishers of ThisDay Newspaper.

The state accused Bi-Courtney of owing N38,701,954.25, while DAAR Communications is alleged to owe N22,433,482,482.48 and Leaders & Company faces a claim of N67,092,836.87.

Other prominent defaulters include GMT Energy Resources Limited (over N145.8 million), Sheriff Deputies Limited (over N132.1 million), Heyden Petroleum Limited (N33,223,508.93), AA Rescue (N27,815,988.53), and Primero Transport Services Limited, operator of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system (N43,401,308.09).

In a statement issued and signed by Lagos State attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), the state claimed that the defendants had repeatedly ignored payment notices.

Pedro added that individual liabilities range from N13.5 million to over N35 million, while corporate liabilities are substantially higher.

He also stated that the entities have been summoned to the Revenue Court for prosecution and tax debt recovery after failing to meet statutory obligations.

The list of defendants includes IENG Nigeria Limited, James Fisher Nigeria Limited, V Care Diagnostics Limited, Venture Garden Nigeria Limited, Saro Africa International Limited, and Barry Callebaut Nigeria Limited, as well as media and technology companies such as Native Media Limited, First Consulting Media & Centre Limited, and Eyowo Integrated Payments.

The Attorney-General explained that the action intends to enforce tax compliance and recover essential revenues for public services.

Taxpayers who received pre-action notices and have settled their dues will avoid prosecution, he assured.

Pedro urged residents and businesses to voluntarily comply by filing annual returns and paying assessed taxes promptly, warning that those who default risk penalties, interest, and legal action.