Economy
FIRS swoops on MultiChoice over N1.8trillion debt
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Owolola Adebola
The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has appointed some commercial banks as agents to freeze and recover the sum of N1.8 trillion from accounts of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, MCN, and MultiChoice Africa, MCA
FIRS said it discovered that the companies persistently breached all agreements and undertakings with the Service.
“They would not promptly respond to correspondences, they lacked data integrity and are not transparent as they continually deny FIRS access to their records. Particularly, MCN has avoided giving the FIRS accurate information on the number of its subscribers and income,” FIRS said.
“The companies are involved in the under-remittance of taxes which necessitated a critical review of the tax-compliance level of the company.”
The statement added that the group’s performance does not reflect in its tax obligations and compliance level in Nigeria.
“The level of non-compliance by Multi-Choice Africa (MCA), the parent Company of Multi-Choice Nigeria (MCN) is very alarming. The parent company, which provides services to MCN has never paid Value Added Tax (VAT) since its inception,” it said.
Mr. Nami said the issue with Tax collection in Nigeria, especially from foreign-based Companies conducting businesses in Nigeria and making massive profits is frustrating and infuriating to the FIRS. “Regrettably, Companies come into Nigeria just to infringe on our tax laws by indulging in tax evasion. There is no doubt that broadcasting, telecommunications and the cable-satellite industries have changed the face of communication in Nigeria.
“However, when it comes to tax compliance, some companies are found wanting. They do with impunity in Nigeria what they dare not try in their countries of origin,” he said.
The statement further confirmed that Nigeria contributes 34% of total revenue for the Multi-Choice group. The next to Nigeria from intelligence gathering is Kenya with 11%, and Zambia is in 3rd place with 10%. The rest of Africa where they have presence accounts for 45% of the group’s total revenue.
Information currently at the disposal of FIRS has revealed a tax liability for relevant years of assessment for ₦1,822,923,909,313.94 (One trillion, eight hundred and twenty-two billion, nine hundred and twenty-three million, nine hundred and nine thousand, three hundred and thirteen naira, ninety-four kobo only) and $342,531,206 (Three hundred and forty-two million, five hundred and thirty-one thousand, two hundred and six dollars only).
Under FIRS powers in Section 49 of the Companies Income Tax Act Cap C21 LFN 2004 as amended, Section 41 of the Value Added Tax Act Cap V1 LFN 2004 as amended and Section 31 of the FIRS (Establishment) Act No. 13 of 2007, all bankers to MCA and MCN in Nigeria were therefore appointed as Collecting Agents for the full recovery of the aforesaid tax debt.
Nami said: “In this regard, the affected banks are required to sweep balances in each of the above-mentioned entities’ accounts and pay the same in full or part settlement of the companies’ respective tax debts until FULL recovery.
“This should be done before the execution of any transaction involving the companies or any of their subsidiaries.
“It is further requested that the Federal Inland Revenue Service be informed of any transactions before EXECUTION on the account, especially transfers of funds to any of their subsidiaries.”
The FIRS boss concluded that it is important that Nigeria stopped all tax frauds that have been going on for too long.
“All Companies must be held accountable and made to pay their fair share of relevant taxes including back duty taxes owed, especially VAT for which they are ordinarily agents of collection,” he said.
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Economy
Tinubu orders take-off of National Single Window in Q1 2026
Funso OLOJO
The directive was delivered during Tuesday’s fifth steering committee meeting at the State House, Abuja.
President Tinubu was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Gbajabiamila said the recent Tax Reform Acts, signed into law in June, underscored the urgency of accelerating reforms and pursuing Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy target.
He highlighted the importance of financial and trade reforms in achieving national economic transformation.
“It’s important that we continue to stay focused on this project. So that at the end of the day, we meet our timelines and achieve the results the President expects.
“As you all are aware, the project is one of the transformative initiatives of Mr. President which we collectively must ensure is effectively and commendably implemented,” Gbajabiamila said.
He emphasised the role of a unified electronic platform in simplifying Nigeria’s import and export operations.According to him, the NSW will boost investment and trade revenues, improve transparency, and strengthen Nigeria’s global business credibility.
Gbajabiamila urged all agencies to refine their targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to meet the Phase 1 deadline.“I do expect that since the last meeting of the steering committee which was held on the 8th April, 2025, all stakeholders have operated and actively progressed with all the required KPIs and set targets to ensure that we go live with phase 1 in Q1 2026 as was previously scheduled,” he said.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun described the progress as encouraging but stressed the need for swift execution.
He urged a shift from strategy to concrete implementation, calling the project complex but transformational.
Edun urged the committee to improve collaboration and resolve final hurdles to meet the rollout timeline.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole also charged the committee to work diligently and meet the Q1 2026 deadline without fail.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), thanked the President for consistently supporting the project.
“Thank you on behalf of the steering committee. We thank you for the relentless support that you have given to us.”
“And to all my colleagues here, we can see that the reward for hard work is more work.
“When we started last month, it is now law; the single window is now in the law.”
He asked committee members to stay focused on the mission ahead.
The Director of the National Single Window (NSW) Project, Tola Fakolade, gave a brief overview of the steering committee’s progress toward implementing the project.
“All second quarter 2025 key project milestones have been successfully achieved. And the customisation of the Single window platform has commenced,” he said.
He gave assurances that the committee would meet up with the timelines.
The National Single Window project is a Federal Government initiative to streamline trade processes by creating a centralised electronic platform for importers and exporters.
It is a digital trade facilitation platform expected to accelerate economic growth and facilitate cross-border transactions.
Launched in April 2024, the NSW seeks to consolidate all agencies involved in imports and exports onto a unified electronic portal.
It is expected to reduce trade costs, cut delays, and enhance transparency and efficiency at Nigerian ports.
Committee members include representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Investments, the Ministry of Finance, FIRS, and the Nigeria Customs Service.
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