Lagos seals shipping company over alleged tax evasion

Zeek Shipping Ltd. was sealed over alleged failure to remit N4 million tax to the state government.

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, on Wednesday sealed Zeek Shipping Ltd., Lagos, over alleged failure to remit N4 million tax to the state government.

The Head of Distrain Unit of LIRS, Folasade Coker-Afolayan, led a team that closed the company located at No. 25 Rhodes Crescent, Apapa.

The closure occurred at 2 p.m.

Ms. Coker-Afolayan said shortly after the closure that the debt accrued since 2011.

She said that the amount was workers’ income tax, which the company’s management failed to remit to the state government.

Zeek Shipping Ltd. is a subsidiary of Zeek Group of Companies.

Ms. Coker-Afolayan said: “We decided to seal the shipping company because it owed the Lagos State Government N4 million.

“The amount is the workers’ income tax for 2011.

“The shipping company will not be reopened for business until the tax is remitted,” she said.

Ms. Coker-Afolayan said that the state government had written a letter to the management of the company on the need to remit the tax.

According to her, the LIRS sealed the company following the failure of the management to respond to the request.

She reiterated that payment of tax was a civic responsibility to enable government provide infrastructure for its citizens.

She urged companies to remit their taxes promptly to avoid closure.

An official of the company, who pleaded anonymity, said the company did not receive any notification before the closure.

He said he was not satisfied with the manner the government enforced tax laws.

(NAN)