The Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) recently took enforcement action to seal the premises of Oracle Business Ltd, which is owned by former Governor Samuel Ortom, due to an alleged N93.5 million tax default.
This operation, led by BIRS acting Chairman Mr. Sunday Odagba and Board Secretary/Legal Adviser Mr. Ushahemba Dekaa, also resulted in the sealing of Jagshu Filling Station over an alleged N2.1 million default and Ubgechi Filling Station for a similar alleged default of N2.1 million.
This enforcement was carried out by an order from an empowered Makurdi High Court, allowing the Board to take action regarding the defaults. Following the sealing of Oracle Business offices, the BIRS Legal Adviser explained that the company failed to fulfill its tax obligations for over six years, leaving the Board with no choice but to enforce the court order.
The BIRS Legal Adviser stated, "The tax liability of Oracle Business is about N100 million and has been standing unpaid for well over six years. Despite numerous meetings and engagements, the company failed to pay their taxes. We had to enforce the court order as a result of their non-compliance."
In response, the Group Managing Director of Oracle Business, Chris Omiyi, argued that the company had received tax evaluation letters totaling N138 million, which were later reduced to N38 million after engaging a tax consultant. However, there was still a dispute regarding N15 million, which they intended to resolve in the office. He voiced his frustrations when the appointed personnel were not available for the resolution meeting.
The BIRS acting Chairman clarified that Oracle Business and the other affected entities failed in their obligations as they did not object to the served demand notices and did not pay the assessed taxes within the stipulated timeframe. He emphasized the operation's non-political nature and emphasized that it was simply a response to tax defaults.
The BIRS acting Chairman announced plans to extend similar enforcement actions to Gboko and Otukpo Zonal Offices, urging delinquent taxpayers to settle their liabilities promptly.