The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has faulted the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for sealing its Abuja office over alleged non-payment of ground rent, describing the move as “unprofessional” and “disruptive.”
The FCTA enforcement team on Tuesday shut down several properties in Abuja, including the FIRS office in Zone 5, Access Bank at Wuse Market, and a Total filling station, citing what it described as long-standing defaults on ground rent payments.
However, Aderonke Atoyebi, the technical assistant on broadcast media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, strongly denied the allegations, stating that the agency had fulfilled its ground rent obligations up to 2023, and was only awaiting receipt confirmation for a subsequent payment request.
“The FCTA is getting it all wrong. It’s a falsehood to claim that FIRS is owing ground rent for 25 years,” Atoyebi said in a post shared on X.
“Documents available show that we have paid all the dues until 2023. We have requested a receipt from February 19th, 2024, to no avail. This is wrong, and untrue.”
She further criticised the shutdown of the agency’s office as an act of administrative recklessness, especially considering the critical national assignment FIRS is currently involved in regarding tax reforms.
“It’s so unprofessional that Wike-led FCTA closed our office, distracting staff from going about their duties when we did nothing wrong. Especially in a crucial week like this when we are looking forward to signing the Tax Reform Bills,” Atoyebi added.
“FCTA, you goofed big time, FIRS isn’t owing you.”
She also accused the FCTA of using the FIRS as a scapegoat for its own failures, stating:
“If you are looking for a fall guy, please move further, we shouldn’t be your scapegoat when you know well that the lies you spread in the media and your malicious/illegal action will hurt our operations.”
“There was no prior notice before the administrative rascality. We demand an apology.”
As of press time, the FCTA had not issued a formal response to FIRS’ statement.
