The Lagos State Government has initiated legal proceedings against 45 individuals and corporate organizations over alleged tax liabilities amounting to several billion naira.
The suits, filed before the state’s revenue court, are part of efforts to enforce compliance with tax regulations and recover outstanding revenues.
Among those named in the cases are Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two; DAAR Communications Plc, owners of Africa Independent Television; and Leaders & Company Limited, publishers of ThisDay newspaper.
Official figures indicate that Bi-Courtney is alleged to owe N38.7 million, while DAAR Communications has an outstanding liability of N22.4 million. Leaders & Company Limited is also accused of owing N67.1 million in unpaid taxes.
Other major defaulters listed include GMT Energy Resources Limited, with liabilities exceeding N145.8 million, and Sheriff Deputies Limited, which allegedly owes over N132.1 million.
Additional companies named in the suits include Heyden Petroleum Limited, AA Rescue, and Primero Transport Services Limited, alongside several others with varying tax obligations.
The list also features firms such as IENG Nigeria Limited, James Fisher Nigeria Limited, V Care Diagnostics Limited, Venture Garden Nigeria Limited, Saro Africa International Limited, and Barry Callebaut Nigeria Limited.
Media and tech-related firms, including Native Media Limited, First Consulting Media & Centre Limited, and Eyowo Integrated Payments, were also cited as defendants.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, said the legal action followed repeated notices issued to the affected entities, which were ignored.
He noted that while individual tax liabilities range between about N13.5 million and N35 million, corporate organizations account for the bulk of the debt.
Pedro explained that the government resorted to litigation after the affected taxpayers failed to meet their statutory obligations or take advantage of opportunities to regularize their tax status.
He added that the move is part of broader efforts to boost internally generated revenue needed to fund infrastructure and essential public services in the state.
The attorney general, however, clarified that taxpayers who complied with pre-action notices and settled their debts would not be prosecuted.
He urged residents and business operators to adhere to tax laws by filing annual returns and paying assessed taxes promptly, warning that continued default could result in penalties, interest, and further legal action.
