The Cross River State Government on Wednesday, October 16, sealed virtually all First Bank offices in Calabar, the state capital and other branches in the state, following a court order through the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS), Brainnews report.

Reports from a Special Court (Revenue) of Cross River State order with Suit No: MSC. NO. HC/SCT/MSC/BIR/02/2019 between the Applicant (Cross River State Board of Internal Revenue) and Distrainee (First Bank of Nigeria Plc) that the Bank is owing an accumulated tax of over 211 million Naira from 2005 to 2010.

The order was signed by the erstwhile Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Michael Edem and Ekpo E. Archibong, the Chief Litigation Officer.

“UPON READING AND CONSIDERING the Motion Ex-parte filed and dated the 25th day of September, 2019 pursuant to the Provision of Section 104 of the Cross River State Revenue Administration Law 2011, and the inherent jurisdiction of the Court, Supported by 8 paragraphed Affidavit, 18 Exhibits and a written address, coming up before the Honourable Court this 3rd day of October, 2019.

AND AFTER HEARING S. A. Abi, Esquire, Director Legal Services (with him E. Esirah, Esquire, Senior State Counsel 1, Lillian E. Ugbong, Esquire, State Counsel 1 and Patience V. Egwu, Esquire, State Counsel 1) of Counsel for the Applicant Ex-parte, praying this Honourable Court to grant the reliefs contained on the Motion paper;

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

(1) A WARRANT OF DISTRAIN ought to issue and is hereby issued against the Distrainee’s goods, Chattels lands, premises or plate, bonds and securities for non-payment of N211,094,450.00 (Two Hundred and Eleven Million, Ninety-Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only, being outstanding tax liability payable by the Distrainee to the Applicant under the back duty Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) deductions, Business premises, Development levy and With holding tax (Excluding Interest), liabilities for the period 2005-2010.

(2) Patience Vouda Egwu, Esquire, the Head Enforcement and Monitoring Unit of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service, be and is hereby duly authorised to execute Warrant of Distrain against the Dstrainee’s goods, Chattels, lands, premises or place, bonds and Security for non-payment of N211,094,450.00 (Two Hundred and Eleven Million, Ninety-Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) only being outstanding tax liability payable by the Distrainee to the Applicant under the back duty Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) deductions, Business premises, Development levy and With holding tax (Excluding Interest), liabilities for the period 2005-2010 until the settlement of tax liability.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT:

The First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Calabar being the Distrainee shall pay the outstanding tax liability amount of N211,094,450.00 (Two Hundred and Eleven Million, Ninety Four Thousand, Four Hundred and fifty Naira) only into Cross River State Revenue Account, using Code: 1203000000/401007F and the sum of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) only is being awarded as cost.”

ISSUED AT CALABAR UNDER THE SEAL OF THE COURT AND THE HAND OF THE PRESIDING CHIEF JUDGE, THIS THURSDAY THE 3RD DAY OF OCTOBER, 2019,” the ORDER read.

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