Kaduna seals 13 companies over N1.5bn unpaid land use charges

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has taken decisive action against 13 companies in the state capital for failing to remit land-based revenue totaling N1.5 billion. The affected establishments include five commercial banks, a hotel, filling stations, and an eatery.

Leading the enforcement operation, KADIRS legal adviser Aisha Garba stated that the closures align with the provisions of Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act and Section 24, sub-sections (1, 2, 3) of the Kaduna State Tax Codification and Consolidation Law, 2020 (as amended). She explained that the service obtained a court order authorizing the immediate closure of the premises until the debts are fully settled.

Garba emphasized the importance of compliance, noting that the liabilities were identified through the Kaduna State Geographic Information Service (KADGIS). Among the sealed properties are Hamdala Hotel Kaduna, owing N113,134,272, Hamdala Motel Kaduna with N26,291,384 in liabilities, and the Bank of Agriculture Kaduna with a debt of N20,484,641.

Other affected entities include the New Nigeria Development Company’s Ten-Story Building, Unity Bank branches, Chicken Republic, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Zenith Bank, Forte Oil filling station, and the A.G. Leventis Building. Debt amounts for these establishments range from N622,284 to over N20 million.

KADIRS has reiterated its commitment to enforcing tax compliance across the state to boost internally generated revenue and enhance public services. The closures will remain in effect until all outstanding payments are cleared.