UNIBEN Dragged To Court For Tax Evasion

Edo State Board of Internal Revenue has filed a suit in a Federal High Court against the University of Benin for allegedly failing to make proper Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) deduction from employees of the institution between 2004 and 2006 in accordance with the Personal Income Tax Act.

In the two-count charge suit, the plaintiff is also contending that the University failed to account properly for deductions made from emoluments of employees of the University during the period under review.

The plaintiff said the offence was punishable under Regulation 16 of the  operations of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE), Regulations No. 18 of 2002, made pursuant to the personal Income Tax Act, Cap P. 8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Joined in the suit are Prof. Godwin Osayuki Oshodin, Vice Chancellor of the University; Mrs Rosaline Egborge, acting Registrar of the University, Dr. (Mrs) May Nwoye, Bursar.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Speaking to newsmen in Benin, the executive chairman of the Board, Dr. Ese Owie, said the action became necessary following the persistent refusal of the management of the University to comply with relevant tax laws as they relate to the remittance of (PAYE).

He explained that the court action was in furtherance of the Oshiomhole-led administration’s commitment to ensuring compliance of all corporate organisations to the relevant tax laws.

Dr. Owie, therefore, advised all corporate organisations, especially Federal Government establishments operating in the state that have served with similar PAYE demand notices to comply without delay, failing which he said, necessary legal action shall be instituted against them.