‘We’re Not Owing You Ground Rent’, FIRS Tackles FCTA Over Office Closure

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has strongly condemned the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over the closure of one of its offices in Abuja over alleged ground rent debt, calling the action “malicious” and “unprofessional.”

In a statement released via X (formerly Twitter), Arabirin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, accused the FCTA, led by Minister Nyesom Wike, 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. “Especially in a crucial week like this when we are looking forward to signing the Tax Reform Bills. FCTA, you goofed big time, FIRS isn’t owing you.”

She further accused the FCTA of attempting to use the FIRS as a scapegoat. “If you are looking for a fall guy, please move further,” she added. “We shouldn’t be your scapegoat when you know well that the lies you spread in the media and your malicious/illegal action will hurt our operations.”

The FIRS maintained that it has no outstanding rent payments to the FCTA for the past 25 years and insists that its obligations have been settled up to 2023.

“We have the evidence,” Atoyebi emphasised, pushing back against claims of indebtedness.