A’ Ibom Revenue Service seals  Heritage Bank, Keystone over N228.6m tax debts

The Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), has shut gates of Keystone and Heritage banks for failing to pay their taxes amounting to over N228million.

Our Correspondent gathered that the two banks located along Abak road and Ikot road respectively wee sealed up by the revenue agency on Thursday as they could not settled their arrears of  tax liabilities in the state .

According to the Executive Director in charge of Enforcement and Debt Recovery of the Revenue Board Mr Leo Umana , the dealing of the two banks was in compliance of its enforcement drive .

Umana said Heritage bank has failed to pay N100,270,910 while Keystone bank have refused to pay N128,413,882 owed to the state government as tax liabilities.

He said the two banks were sealed after an experte order of Notice of Distrain was obtained by the State Revenue Service from Akwa Ibom state High Court , Uyo Division

“The Court Order was signed by Hon Justice Effiong Effiong  who ordered that access to the bank premises and its facilities be restricted.”

The Court Order which was sighted by newsmen in Uyo stated that the two banks have not been remitting actual tax from employee salaries as well as other taxes meant for the state.

The order of court reads in parts: “The banks  have not been remitting the actual tax deductible from its employees’ salaries and other relevant taxes due to the State; hence failed to comply with the provisions of relevant tax laws.”

Umana said the banks were given warning notices but  failed to comply after several months.

He explained that Akwa Ibom state Internal Revenue Service had exhausted reconciliation and negotiation opportunities with the organizations before they settled for action.

He also, pointed out that since the banks management  have refused to remit taxes accruing to the State despite the long period of time given them, the revenue agency was left   no option than to secure the  exparte order as a move  to recover State Government revenue.

Umana noted that for the banks served the Notice of Distrain, under the law, they have 14 days to negotiate with AKIRS and vacate the order.

 ” If after 14 days, they do not comply, we have the mandate of the court to sell the property and recover the tax owed the State.”

 He said that in the ongoing enforcement drive of Akwa Ibom Revenue Service is aimed at recovering State government revenue and assist the state to realize its A-R-I-S-E agenda.