FIRS fines Akwa Ibom State College of Education N61million

Gov. Godswill Akpabio

The Southsouth zone of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has fined the Akwa Ibom State College of Education at Afaha Nsit over N61 million for allegedly violating some provisions of tax laws.
The State Monitor at the Uyo Government Business Tax Office, Mr. Paul Anyebe, spoke yesterday in Uyo, the state capital, on the alleged offence.

He said the college was audited last on August 12 to 15, 2013.

The state monitor explained that FIRS findings were communicated to the college through a letter on November 7, 2013.

According to him, the letter also invited the college to a reconciliation meeting, which it allegedly declined.

Anyebe said the college did not attend the reconciliation meeting or send a representation.

The FIRS chief said the college did not also object to the agency’s audit findings.

He said a demand note was served on the college on January 17, adding that the college did not respond or object to the demand notice served on them.

Anyebe said: “The audit findings were communicated to the college vide FIRS letter of November 7, 2013. The letter also invited the college to a reconciliation meeting scheduled for November 19, 2013.

“The college did not attend the reconciliation meeting, submitted no representation and did not object to the audit findings.

“A Demand Note was served on the college vide FIRS letter of January 17, 2014. The college did not object or respond.”

The agency chief said even when a notice of enforcement was served on the college through a letter on November 18, 2014, the college still did not show any concern.

He added that the action of the college indicated that its officials did not have respect for FIRS officials and the law.

According to him, in compliance with the provisions of the tax laws, the FIRS demanded that the college pay a liability of N61,855,367.45.

The Provost of the college, Dr. Patrick Uko, promised to comply with the provisions of the tax laws and pay the tax liability by installments.

Culled from The Nation newspaper