Just In: FIRS Slams FCTA Over Office Shutdown, Labels Action Malicious, Unprofessional

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has sharply criticized the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for sealing one of its Abuja offices, calling the action “malicious” and “unprofessional.”

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, accused the FCTA of unfairly targeting the agency.

“It is highly unprofessional of the Wike-led FCTA to close our office, disrupting staff from performing their duties when we have done nothing wrong, especially during a crucial week as we prepare to sign the Tax Reform Bills. FCTA, you have erred gravely; FIRS owes you nothing,” Atoyebi asserted.

She also alleged that the FCTA was trying to scapegoat the FIRS, adding, “If you are looking for a fall guy, look elsewhere. We should not be your scapegoat when you know full well that the falsehoods you spread in the media and your malicious, illegal actions will harm our operations.”

Atoyebi said the agency had no outstanding rent payments to the FCTA for the past 25 years, adding that all obligations had been settled up to 2023.

“We have the evidence,” she said, pushing back against claims of indebtedness.

According to her, the incident comes at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s tax system, with major reform legislation expected to be finalised soon.

She warned that such disruptions could undermine public confidence and delay the implementation of key fiscal policies.

Persecondnews had previously reported that FCTA officials shut down one of the FIRS offices on Monday morning.

Prior to the shutdown, the FCTA indicated at a joint press briefing on May 23, held by the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, alongside Nwankwoeze, and the Director of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, that: “Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts had already reverted to the FCTA.

“And as from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties.

“As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.”