The Ebonyi State Government has sealed Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The government said they sealed the bank because of its “inability” to pay tax to the Ebonyi government.
The task force team from the Ebonyi State Internal Revenue Board Service visited the bank on Tuesday morning and ordered its immediate closure.
The leader of the team, Okoro Celestine, who is the head of Integrated Revenue, Ebonyi State Internal Revenue Board Service, said the bank failed to respond to several demand notices since January to pay their accumulated tax.
He said the board had a court order which empowered it to seal the bank.
“This is not the first time we are coming here. Several demand notices have been served to them from January 14, 2022, to date, and we have a procedure, we don’t just come and seal. A court order has been granted for us to come and seal it.
“First demand notice was given to them. A reminder was also given to them but they refused. We don’t have any other option, we will not fight them other than to do the needful by seeking a court order to seal them.
“We feel it is very necessary for it to be sealed today. We are not going to unseal it until they comply. We didn’t just start this journey today. It has been from January till date, which is seven months,” Mr Celestine said.
The manager of the bank declined to comment on the issue when contacted.
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The Ebonyi State Government has sealed Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The government said they sealed the bank because of its “inability” to pay tax to the Ebonyi government.
The task force team from the Ebonyi State Internal Revenue Board Service visited the bank on Tuesday morning and ordered its immediate closure.
The leader of the team, Okoro Celestine, who is the head of Integrated Revenue, Ebonyi State Internal Revenue Board Service, said the bank failed to respond to several demand notices since January to pay their accumulated tax.
He said the board had a court order which empowered it to seal the bank.
“This is not the first time we are coming here. Several demand notices have been served to them from January 14, 2022, to date, and we have a procedure, we don’t just come and seal. A court order has been granted for us to come and seal it.
“First demand notice was given to them. A reminder was also given to them but they refused. We don’t have any other option, we will not fight them other than to do the needful by seeking a court order to seal them.
“We feel it is very necessary for it to be sealed today. We are not going to unseal it until they comply. We didn’t just start this journey today. It has been from January till date, which is seven months,” Mr Celestine said.
The manager of the bank declined to comment on the issue when contacted.
Support PREMIUM TIMES’ journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
Donate
TEXT AD: Call Willie – +2348098788999