In its sustained drive to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collections, the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) on Tuesday sealed three companies in Ore, in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state over alleged unpaid taxes.
The ODIRS’ Head of Legal Department, Mr. Adebayo Ogunsuyi, who spoke on the action said that the law required individuals and companies to pay tax to government as a fiscal obligation, adding that failure to do so usually attract sanctions.
According to him, the sealing of the companies’ premises was based on the State High Court order of May 18, 2022 delivered by the Chief Judge, Justice Williams Akintoroye, that empowered the Service to seal the defaulting corporate entities.
The affected companies included Woda Mountain Investment Ltd (a quarry firm), Ajiwogbo Sawmill and Optimal Energy filling station.
The legal expert claimed that Woda Quarry Company, one of the largest quarry companies in the country, owed the state government N217 million and had refused to pay, despite efforts by the revenue agency to make it fulfill its fiscal obligation as required by law.
Ogunsuyi further explained that the affected companies were served demand notice twice by the agency which was rebuffed, thereby leading to the order of the court that the defaulting companies should be sealed.
He expatiated: “The law states that one can be enforced based on a court order for non-payment of tax.
“The affected defaulters will have to visit the ODIRS office to settle their tax liability and thereafter, proceed to court to lift the court order.
“ODIRS is deploying an aggressive approach to ensure that all taxes are collected to help the state carry out its developmental projects for the benefit of the people”, Ogunsuyi added.
He advised other companies that were yet to file their tax returns to immediately do so as the revenue agency is determined to begin full enforcement exercise across the state to generate more revenue for the government.
