By Abdul Kayode
Kwara Internal Revenue Services (KW-IRS) has dismissed the allegation of selective victimisation of business owners in the state over noncompliance with tax payment laws.
The clarification is made via a press statement signed by the head of the corporate affairs department of the agency Funmilola Oguntunbi and made available to Accurate News.
The release said the alleged victimisation of Igbo traders by the agency by an online platform ‘The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)’ against the personality of the governor of the state and KW-IRS was a falsehood that targeted ethnic sentiment to gain undue public sentiment.
The statement read: “The attention of the Service has been drawn to a false, malicious, and inciting publication on 31st July 2024 by one online publication, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), against the personality of the Governor of Kwara State and the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service respectively.
“We are tempted to believe that this false narrative was at the instance of some members of the Kwara State Igbo Traders Association (KWAITA), which has recently instituted a legal action against the Service on 12th July 2024 on the same subject matter before the Kwara State High Court.
“In suit KWS/308/24 – NWANKWO SYLVESTER & 90 ORS VS KWARA STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE & 2 ORS. This action of twisting the facts through a media publication is, therefore, in bad faith.
”In response to the deliberate misinformation, we clarify as follows:
1. Contrary to the unfounded allegation contained in the publication, at no time did the Governor of Kwara State explicitly or impliedly direct the Service to victimise or act in a particular way towards anyone on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, or other personal social identity.
2. The execution of judgments was effected on six (6) judgment debtors / taxpayers. Three of them are Igbo traders, while the remaining three are Yoruba traders. For the record, the businesses affected are:
For the Igbo traders/ judgment debtors:
i. Electrical appliances with business address at 154 Ibrahim Taiwo Road opposite stadium gate, Ilorin.
ii. Boutique dealers with a business address at 12, Taiwo Isale Ilorin, opposite Gada Market.
iii. Dealer in Automobile spare parts at Ibrahim Taiwo Road Adjacent Lapariah Tech owoniboys building ilorin
For the three (3)Yoruba traders/judgment debtors
i. Dealer in phone accessories with business address at 60, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, opposite Methodist church Taiwo isale ilorin
ii. Trading at 147, beside GTB PLC, Ibrahim Taiwo Road beside, ilorin
iii. Educational Services, at 278 upper Taiwo Road beside Mama ifeoma Store.
“We have made these disclosures as a matter of probity to give the lie to the wicked claims that any specific individuals are being targeted.
3. The Service has adopted a non-discriminatory policy on prohibition of Associations on assessment and collection of personal income tax in compliance with relevant provisions of the federal law which is the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 (as amended).
“The Service will not join issues with the publisher and cohort over issues that are already pending for adjudication before a court of competent jurisdiction as doing same will be Sub Judice.
“Against this background, and as a reputable Agency that firmly believes in the principles of the rule of law and judicial process, we would not allow anyone to drag the Service’s hard-earned reputation in the mud.
“In conclusion, we advise ICIR and those behind the unpatriotic publication to refrain from heating up the polity by subjecting matters already before a competent court to a court of public opinion where players sometimes intentionally choose which facts to state and which facts to suppress in the pursuit of their agenda. We urge the platform to refrain from interfering with the constitutional powers and functions of the Court.”
