Edo State Seals Nine Companies Over ₦8.98bn Tax Issues

The Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) has sealed nine companies in Utesi Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, due to unremitted tax liabilities amounting to ₦8.982 billion. The companies affected are primarily Chinese-owned and include Rongtai Plastic Company Limited, Rongtai Hardware Limited, Rongtai Energy Technology Company Limited, Rongtai Building Materials Company Limited, Rongtai Food Company Limited, Five Star Wire and Cable Company, Xin Guo Technology Nigeria Limited, Changrong Wood Nigeria Limited, and Shunda Nigeria Enterprise.

The EIRS stated that these companies failed to meet their statutory tax obligations, including registering employees for Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax, filing annual employers’ tax returns, and deducting and remitting PAYE taxes. Courage Eboigbe, Head of Corporate Communications and Taxpayers Enlightenment Service, indicated that the companies had been notified of their tax liabilities before the enforcement action.

The sealing of the premises will remain until the companies settle their outstanding tax obligations.