The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has pushed back against the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) following the closure of its Abuja office over claims of unpaid ground rent.
Officials from the FCTA sealed multiple locations earlier today, including the FIRS office in Zone 5, a Total filling station, and Access Bank at Wuse Market, citing long-standing default on rent payments. However, FIRS called the action “unprofessional” and accused the FCTA of spreading falsehoods.
Reacting to the development, Aderonke Atoyebi, the Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, rejected the allegations, insisting that the tax agency had cleared its dues up to 2023 and even requested a receipt for subsequent payments.
“The FCTA is getting it all wrong. It’s a falsehood to claim that FIRS is owing ground rent for 25 years,” Atoyebi posted 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 condemned the move by the FCTA, led by Minister Nyesom Wike, as not only baseless but also harmful to the agency’s work.
“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 stated. “FCTA, you goofed big time, FIRS isn’t owing you.”
She also accused the administration of attempting to make FIRS a scapegoat in its wider clampdown on defaulters.
“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 actions will hurt our operations.”
“There was no prior notice before the administrative rascality. We demand an apology,” she added.
The FCTA has been carrying out a sweeping enforcement initiative aimed at recovering billions in outstanding ground rent. According to reports, over 8,300 property owners owe nearly N7 billion in back payments, with some debts stretching over four decades.
As part of this campaign, the FCTA recently revoked 4,794 land titles across high-value districts such as Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki. In March, the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was also affected, having allegedly failed to settle rent arrears for 19 years.
While the FCTA has said affected owners can appeal for reinstatement, tensions continue to rise over what critics say is an aggressive and poorly executed approach.
