The Cross River Government has threatened severe penalty on a firm, Bao Yao Iron and Steel Company, for owing the state N1.2 billion accrued tax liabilities.This was disclosed by Mr Ayi Bassey, Director Compliance, Cross River Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Monday during a compliance drive by the service to the premises of the firm in Calabar.

Bassey said the service had taken steps provided by law but the company refused to discharge its statutory responsibility to the government. “We have served them demand notice, final demand notice; for four periods they have been issued pre action notices and they have done nothing to show they have a responsibility to the state.“As a service, we view this as a deliberate attempt on the part of the management of the company to undermine the developmental efforts of the present administration in the state.“We have placed the non compliance stickers as our final demand to them, beyond this, we will take necessary steps to ensure we enforce compliance,” he said.On his part, Mr Emmanuel Esira, Director Legal Services and Enforcement of Cross River IRS said the visitation was a further administrative step to get the company informed of their indebtedness to the government.According to him, “the tax we are asking for are deductions from staff salaries that have not been remitted to the tax authorities in the state since 2009.“The notification stickers will be on their premises until they comply and if they don’t respond, we will take further actions.Esira urged other companies doing business in the state not to allow situations to get to the point where they have to paste non compliance stickers in their premises before they carry out their obligations. (NAN)

A Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State on Thursday, ordered the remand of a 35-year-old man, Segun Deala, for stealing Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) cable.Deal whose address was not provided, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge bordering on stealing and breach of peace.

The Chief Magistrate, Nurudeen Layeni ordered that he should be kept at the Awhajigho correctional facility in Badagry. He adjourned the case until Aug. 14, for fact and sentencingEarlier, the prosecution, ASP Edet Ekpo told the Court that the defendant committed the offences on May 9, at about 2p.m., at Gbenapon Ajara-Topa, Badagry, Lagos.Ekpo said that the defendant stole some length of electric cable with value yet unknown belonging to the EKEDC .He said the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by destroying the cable.According to prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 287 and 168 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015.

The Federal Government has declared June 6th and 9th as public holidays to enable Muslim faithful celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.This is contained in a statement by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Magdalene Ajani on Monday in Abuja.Ajani said that the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on behalf of the Federal Government made the declaration.

Tunji-Ojo called on Muslims to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and faith as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and to also use the period to pray for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. The minister assured Nigerians that the people-oriented reforms and initiatives carried out, in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, is to restore Nigeria on the path of progress.He further urged Nigerians to join hands with the present administration in its efforts to restore the glory of Nigeria as a great nation.(NAN)