GLOBALCOM SEALED OFF

OFFICIALS of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue, yesterday, sealed off the headquarters of Globacom, Global Towers, on Victoria Island, Lagos, accusing the company of defaulting in the payment of N1.3 billion tax.

Staff working in the building were all locked out by the revenue officials.

This came barely 24 hours after the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), told newsmen that Britain sought Nigeria's assistance in probing

Globacom Chairman, Otunba Mike Adenuga (Jnr), over the funding of the company and importation of telecommunication equipment.

It was learnt that the company paid N500 million three weeks ago but defaulted in paying the balance.

Mrs Mojisola Olokolu, Director of Legal Services of the Internal Revenue, said the action was taken because "Globacom deliberately refused to remit the tax it deducted from workers' salaries."

She said the office would not be re-opened until the company paid N500 million and another N500,000 fine.

Pleas by Globacom's Legal Officer, Fred Esedibiri-Osayi, with the enforcement team to allow the matter be settled amicably were rebuffed.

The closure is in pursuance of Section 104 of Personal Income Tax Act, Cap 8 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2005.

On Monday, Gov. Babatunde Fashola met stakeholders in the state at the first-ever taxation conference where he warned that government would no longer take it easy with those who refuse to pay tax.

A Globacom source, speaking to Vanguard, denied that the network was shut down, explaining that the issue in contention was the disparity in tax figures between the company and the tax office.

The Globacom official, who pleaded anonymity, said the matter was not a big issue as the tax office was making it to look.

He said the same tax office had issued tax clearance to the company from 2002 to 2005, a period in which the alleged debt was purported to have been owed.

He expressed disappointment that instead of the tax office to invite Globacom for the two sides to cross-check records it went on the offensive.

The Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC), regulatory body for telecom in the country, said it was not possible to shut down Globacom in the manner it was being speculated.

"This is not a military regime where things are done arbitrarily. Globacom is a consumer-oriented service provider and if they have committed any offence, there are procedures to follow in dealing with such a situation.
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The network is still in operation, and as we talk, the NCC is not aware of any such situation," an official of the Commission told Vanguard in a telephone chat.

Chief Aondoakaa at Monday's briefing said Nigeria was ready to grant Britain's request for assistance in probing Chief Adenuga.

President Umaru Yar'Adua, according to him, has already given his nod to the investigation. He said the investigation was based on an agreement by the UK, the Northern Ireland and Nigeria to fight corruption.