Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS) has sealed the Umuahia and Aba offices of telecommunications giant, Globacom Limited, over alleged non-compliance with its tax obligations to the state government.
The action, according to a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Information, ABIRS, Emelle Akunna Loveth, was carried out pursuant to a valid order of the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division, in Suit No. HU/225M/2025 between the Abia State Internal Revenue Service and Globacom Limited.
The court order, dated January 14, 2026, directed Globacom to remit to the Abia State Government the sum of ₦4,048,748,880.00 (Four Billion, Forty-Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Naira), representing unremitted Right of Way withholding taxes and other tax liabilities for the period 2010 to 2022.
The court also ordered the payment of interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum on the outstanding liabilities from the date the taxes became due until full settlement.
In addition, the court granted an order of distraint against the goods, chattels and premises of Globacom Limited within Abia State, authorising ABIRS and its agents to enforce recovery in line with the Abia State Tax (Codification and Consolidation) Law, 2020.
“This order further empowers the sale of distrained property after fourteen (14) days for the purpose of recovering the outstanding tax liabilities,” the statement noted.
ABIRS explained that the sealing of Globacom’s offices in Umuahia and Aba was a lawful enforcement measure executed in strict compliance with the subsisting court order.
The service reiterated that the Abia State Government remains committed to the rule of law and to ensuring that all corporate entities operating within the state fulfil their statutory obligations.
It added that the board remains open to engagement with Globacom Limited upon full compliance with the directives of the court.
