Taraba State sealed First Bank branch in Jalingo over non-payment of tax
By Chuwang Emmanue
The Taraba State Government has sealed First Bank in Jalingo the State capital.
The government said they sealed the bank because of its “inability” to pay tax to the state government.
The revenue team visited the bank last week Friday and ordered its immediate closure.
Officials of the State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), said their action is based on governor Agbu Kefas directive of intensifying the revenue network and blocking all revenue loopholes in the state.
Felix Manthy, a Director at the state revenue service disclosed that the financial institution was owing the State government about three hundred and fifty Million naira (N350,000,000.) tax debt.
Also the Secretary/Legal Adviser of the revenue service Nierus Johnson, stated that the dept compelled the IRS to carry out the action.
He said it was pursuant to Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act which empowers the IRS to take action on any Tax defaulter.
Mr Johnson said “it is no longer business as usual” and called on other corporate organisations to step forward and pay their proper taxes to the State Government, otherwise, they will face the same sanctions.
The manager of the bank declined to comment on the issue when contacted.
