Tax Debt: Access Bank Branches Sealed in Kaduna

The Internal Revenue Service of Kaduna state has sealed the three Access Bank branches in Kaduna state following the non-remittance of N249.9 million Pay-As-You-Earn.

The Access Bank branches located along Bida Road, Ahmadu Bello way, and Isa Kita Road will remain shut down till the bank pays off its tax debt to the government, says Frank Kozah the legal adviser to the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service.

He also stated that a tax audit was conducted and this showed that Access Bank has not been remitting PAYE and also not paying taxes. This was communicated to the bank and a demand for payment was made but the bank refused to pay despite several meetings held in this regard. This prompted the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service to get a warrant from the court to restrain the bank and shut down all the branches in the state. The revenue service declared that the sealed branches can only be reopened if the management of the bank settles its tax debts and the cost incurred in shutting down the bank operations.

The agency also went after individuals, businesses, and companies who are tax debtors in the state. The revenue service’s head of corporate communications, Zakari Mohammed put names to the defaulters as Transmission Company of Nigeria Regional office, N56.3 million; Transmission Company of Nigeria Sub-regional office, N67.7 million; Sky Express Airways, N5.4 million; premier feed mill, N7 million; Indomie Noodles Northern region, N9.3 million; China Zhonghao Nigeria Ltd N8.6million and Azman Air Services N15.2 million and all these, including Access’ debt amount to a tax debt of N419.3 million.

He further added that, until these liabilities are paid, these offices remain shut down causing a halt to their operations.