On Monday, the Kano State Internal Revenue Service took serious action by shutting down three businesses in the region, including the main office of Max Air Limited, located on Ashton Road in Kano State. This was done because these companies had not paid their taxes for several years, specifically between 2012 and 2017.
Max Air Limited is owned by a well-known businessman, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, who is also related to Rabi’u Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, which adds a notable connection to the situation.
Apart from Max Air, the revenue service also closed the main office of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, which is located on the Kano-Zaria road. This company owed a substantial amount of money, specifically N241.2 million, in PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and withholding taxes for the years 2021 and 2022. The revenue service also sealed the Northern Rice and Oil Milling Nigeria Ltd, located in the Gunduwawa Industrial Estate off Hadejia road, for similar reasons.
After the closures, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the director responsible for managing debts and enforcement at the agency, addressed the media. He explained that the decision to shut down these businesses was made after obtaining a court order. The agency took this step to ensure that all businesses pay their taxes on time, as there were discrepancies noted in their tax payments.
Abdullahi emphasized that the closure was a necessary action because the companies had not responded positively to previous communications reminding them of their tax obligations. He pointed out that the agency’s goal is to collect all due taxes to boost the state’s revenue.
The director assured the public that the agency plans to continue such enforcement actions to remind other tax delinquents of their responsibilities. He also stated that the companies that were sealed would remain closed until they settle their outstanding tax debts.
