Lagos State Government Launches Legal Action Against 45 Tax Defaulters
The Lagos State Government has commenced legal proceedings against 45 individuals and companies over alleged tax defaults amounting to billions of naira. According to a statement by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, the affected parties have been arraigned before the Lagos Revenue Court for the recovery of outstanding tax liabilities assessed by the state.
List of Defaulters with Outstanding Tax Liabilities
As reported by the News Agency of Nigeria, Pedro disclosed that the defendants include both individuals and corporate organisations with varying tax debts. Among those listed are Chidi Ajaere Emmanuel, who allegedly owes N35.4 million, Ifeanyi Uzoaru with N13.5 million, and Mrs Olufunmilola Abe with N30.7 million.
Companies named in the suit include IENG Nigeria Ltd. with N67.1 million, James Fisher Nig. Ltd. with N27.1 million, V Care Diagnostics Ltd. with N14.2 million, and Venture Garden Nig. Ltd. with N72.3 million. Others are Doheney Service with N14.3 million, Native Media Ltd. with N24.1 million and N3.5 million, Saro Africa Int. Ltd. with N24.5 million, and Sheriff Deputies Ltd., which has one of the highest liabilities at N132.2 million.
Further entities include GMT Energy Resources Ltd. with N145.9 million, Leaders & Company Ltd. with N67.1 million, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services with N38.7 million, and Heyden Petroleum Ltd. with N33.2 million. Additional companies named are Barry Callebaut Nig. Ltd. with N33.5 million, Quick Mix Ltd. with N19 million, AA Rescue with N27.8 million, and Funds & Electronics Transfer with N97.8 million.
Others include Raybond Technical Ltd. with N61.8 million, Centre for Management Development with N48.2 million, S.O. and U Ltd. with N38 million, and Union Diagnostics with N23.6 million. Eyowo Integrated Payment is said to owe N16.2 million, while Dee-Jones Petroleum & Gas with N55.9 million and Compact Manifold & Engineering Services with N25 million were also listed.
Government Urges Compliance and Warns of Penalties
Pedro urged residents and businesses in Lagos to comply with tax laws, particularly in filing annual returns and paying assessed taxes promptly. He warned that failure to comply could lead to penalties, interest charges, and possible prosecution. The commissioner noted that several defaulters who were earlier served pre-action notices have since settled their liabilities and will no longer face prosecution.
Extension of Tax Return Filing Deadline
In related news, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has announced an extension for the filing of individual annual personal income tax returns, shifting the deadline from March 31 to April 14, 2026. The extension, disclosed by LIRS Executive Chairman Ayodele Subair, is aimed at giving taxpayers more time to submit accurate and complete returns, amid growing concerns about compliance and last-minute rush. Despite the deadline shift, the service warned taxpayers against complacency, stressing that filing annual tax returns should become a routine obligation rather than a last-minute scramble.
