In a dramatic turn of events, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sealed the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office located in Zone 5, Abuja. The action was taken due to the agency’s failure to remit ground rent payments spanning over 25 years.
The enforcement, which took place earlier today, was carried out by officials of the FCTA Department of Development Control, who moved in with security personnel to shut down the premises. According to sources within the FCTA, the action is part of a broader clampdown on property owners — including government institutions — who have defaulted on statutory land use charges within the Federal Capital Territory.
A senior official of the FCTA, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the FIRS had been served multiple notices over the years but failed to comply. “No entity, no matter how highly placed, is above the law. Ground rent is a legal obligation tied to land occupancy in Abuja, and defaulters must be held accountable,” the official said.
The closure of the tax agency’s office has sent shockwaves across the nation, raising questions about accountability and inter-agency compliance within the federal government. While FIRS is responsible for collecting federal taxes, its own default on statutory obligations has drawn sharp criticism from transparency advocates.
Efforts to reach FIRS officials for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
More details from Parrot Reporters to follow.
