The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has sealed five banks and other companies in the state capital for a ‘Land Use Charge (LUC) debt’ of N1.7 billion.

The service also sealed the popular Hamdala Hotel for N115 million debt on LUC.

The banks and companies sealed by KADIRS on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, were Keystone Bank, Unity Bank, FCMB, Zenith Bank, Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and New Nigeria Development Company.

Others included Forte Oil, Chicken Republic, GT Bank parking lot, and A.G. Leventis building.

Speaking to newsmen on the development, the Board Secretary and Legal Adviser of KADIRS, Aysha Ahmad, said the enforcement exercise was based on the provisions of the law.

Ahmad stated that the enforcement was in the exercise of powers vested in KADIRS by Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act.

She said that the exercise was also backed by Section 24 Sub-Sections (1,2 and 3) of the Kaduna State Tax Codification and Consolidation Law, 2020 as amended.

Uba Sani: What my govt doing to end out-of-school children challenge in Kaduna

Ahmad said the accumulated land-based revenue liabilities were established by the Kaduna State Geographic Information Service (KADGIS).

She added that the service had sent demand notices to the affected banks and companies, which she said did not yield positive responses or compliance.

“So, we have to resort to enforcement to collect what is due for the state,” she said.

The KADIRS board secretary disclosed that the exercise would be a week-long one.

“A court order for the immediate closure and taking over of the entire properties until all unpaid land-based revenue liabilities are settled had been secured,” Ahmad added.

Ahmad called on taxpayers to comply voluntarily, stressing that the service would go round the major cities in Kaduna State to ensure compliance.

The Star