Kayode Olabanji, Okitipupa

Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, ODIRS, yesterday sealed two hotels in Okitipupa, the headquarters of Okitipupa local government area of the state over tax default.

The exercise was sequel to a High Court order, delivered by the State Chief Judge, Justice Williams Akintoroye.

The hotels sealed include; DOMFAV, MOTH Hotels in Okitipupa and one restaurant, ANAMBRA KITCHEN, a subsidiary of Madam Do Good, Akinjagunla Ore, in Odigbo local government.

Speaking with newsmen, the Senior Revenue Manager, Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Gregory Afuwape said, the defaulters refused to pay their tax despite series of notice served on them.

According to him, Domfav Hotel and suit is owing about N3,400,000 (Three million and four hundred thousand naira only) and others respectively.

Afuwape noted that it is the constitutional duty of everyone to pay their taxes including companies and limited companies.

Therefore, defaulters will have to visit the ODIRS office to settle their tax liability and thereafter, proceed to court to lift the court order.

He warned against any attempt to break the seal, padlock on the hotels, saying it’s a contempt of court, which is liable to 21 years imprisonment.

“The enforcement exercise will stand as a lesson to all defaults in the state,” Afuwape stressed.