A shocking incident has unfolded in Abuja, Nigeria, where the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has vehemently condemned the invasion of two of its offices by officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The reason behind this invasion was allegedly the non-payment of ground rent, a claim that the FIRS staunchly denies. According to the FIRS, this action by the FCTA was not only unjustifiable but also an embarrassment.
At the heart of the dispute is the allegation by the FCTA that the FIRS owes 25 years’ worth of ground rent for two of its offices located at No 12 and 14, Sokode Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. However, the FIRS director, Facility Management Department, Mr. Tyofa Abeghe, and other officials, including Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Kunle Ogidi, and members of the media team, categorically denied these allegations during a press conference. They emphasized that the payment for the ground rent had indeed been made, contrary to the claims by the FCTA.
The story began to unravel when the FIRS received a demand notice from the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) in September 2023, requesting ground rent on the properties. In response, the FIRS honored this demand with a payment of N2,364,003 three months later. However, the payment was not receipted, and no treasury receipt was issued. This prompted Mr. Abeghe to write a follow-up letter in February 2024, seeking confirmation and receipting of the payment. Despite the letter being acknowledged by AGIS, there was no response or action taken regarding the payment confirmation.
Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Kunle Ogidi, went further to accuse the FCTA administration of acting with rascality and failing to perform its duties diligently. He stressed that the FIRS is a law-abiding agency that has consistently met its financial obligations, including ground rent for its offices. Ogidi pointed out the absurdity of the situation, questioning why the FIRS would pay ground rent for some of its offices in the same area but allegedly default on others. “FIRS has about seven offices in Sokode Crescent alone. Why are we going to pay ground rent on others and leave only two? Does that make sense?” asked Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser Media, echoing the sentiments of bewilderment and injustice felt by the FIRS.
Furthermore, the incident has highlighted the need for improved inter-agency collaboration to prevent such misunderstandings and invasions in the future. Collins Omokaro and Arabirin Aderonke Atoyebi, in their remarks, emphasized the importance of nurturing and strengthening cooperation between government agencies. They also extended apologies to the staff members and taxpayers who were traumatized during the invasion, underscoring the human impact of such actions.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in inter-agency relationships within the Nigerian government. The FIRS’s denial of the allegations and its demand for an apology from the FCTA officials underscore the need for transparency, communication, and respect for due process in all governmental dealings. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the FCTA will respond to these allegations and the demand for an apology, and what steps will be taken to address the underlying issues that led to this confrontation.
