Steph Clem, Umuahia
Abia state High court on Thursday sealed off three Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, in Aba and Umuahia for failing to remit tax deductions of their workers to the tune of N417m.
The affected branches include 3 business units in Aba and 1 in Umuahia.
Workers of these companies were barred from entering their premises following the execution of the court orders.
The court presided over by Justice Ken Wosu ruled that the various EEDC business units in the state were duly served with the demand notices for the remittance of the monies owed the Abia state Board of Internal Revenue.
Chairman of the state Board of Internal Revenue, Udochukwu Ogbonna, explained that it is not the duty of the board to decide the fate of the defaulters, saying that it is only on court orders that such premises are sealed.
He said that every employer who has more than five employees in his company is expected by law to remit their PAYEE to the government promptly.
He however admitted that using legal means for the revenue drive has been very successful as it has helped to get employers to remit their Tax duly.
Not less than 10 companies across the state have so far been sealed off by the courts for not making commitments to the state government.
