Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state on Justice Reform, Lanre Akinsola has disclosed that the state would be prosecuting 52 top-rated chief executive officers and managing directors of companies operating in the state over tax evasion in the coming days.
But he refused to name these alleged tax evaders, even though he boasted that the state government has conclusively decided to act against the top officials of the companies and the companies themselves. He, however, said some of these defaulters have evaded taxes since 2006.
Tax evasion is a criminal act in the state and the country and the state government had last month started prosecuting 60 suspected tax evaders. The suspects include 12 lawyers and 48 Nigerians whose identities have been kept secret, but whom the government has threatened to jail if found guilty.
Akinsola said the alleged defaulters have no excuse, as they had an obligation to file in their taxes without pressure to do what is right.
“Although, we have served them notices, they refused to comply. These are employers of labour who have companies across the country, but refuse to perform their civic obligations”, he said.
“They are 52 high network individuals who have defaulted in their obligations. They will be prosecuted this week. Some of them have refused to pay their taxes for a very long time. They are business men who are into different sectors of the economy.
“As the consequence of their action, apart from the term of imprisonment, they will still pay their tax. The person will not be able to partake in the election because once the person has become a convict, you can’t be elected. Also, if the person is a holder of a national honour, that is a ground for such honour to be nullified
