Nasarawa revenue board clamps down on banks

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nassarawa State

Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Board NSIRS has begun to clamp down on commercial banks for allegedly hoarding information on personal income tax and connivance.

At the last count, the board had sealed First City Monument and Diamond Bank in the state for alleged refusal to allow its consultant to access documents to analyse information on personally income tax a fortnight ago. The board had on Wednesday sealed Unity Bank allegedly for the same reason.

A financial analyst who would not want to be named accused the board of connivance and defrauding the state of its share of percentage on personal income tax being deducted.

The analyst wondered why it took the board many years before it could ask banks about the customers’ information on personal income tax:

“We were shocked by the statement credited to the chairman of the board that since 1999 the board has not ask for this information till now.

“One will begin to wonder where were the officials of the board all this while. This could mean that so much water must have passed under the bridge.”

Analysts challenged the board to come out with facts and figures on remittance from commercial banks and other tax-paying institutions in the state.

When contacted on the allegations, chairman of the board, Usman Okposhi, declined comments but told journalists to stay away as it does not concern them.