A court has ordered the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) to pay an outstanding tax liability of 970 million Naira to the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS).
The presiding judge, Justice Bayo Yusuf, gave the ruling at the Kwara State High Court situated in Ilorin, the state’s capital in southwest Nigeria.
Justice Yusuf said that the application for stay of execution by the applicant (UNILORIN) on the judgment earlier given in favour of the claimant (KWIRS) was not valid, as it was subsequently dismissed by the court.
In his ruling, he ordered that the university, being the judgment debtor, pay a sum of 100 million Naira on or before May 31, 2016, and 50 million Naira monthly until the 970 million Naira is liquidated accordingly.
He added that interest accrued on the liabilities should be paid as well.
“This judgment is seen as a major victory for the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service and the beginning of recovery of all outstanding liabilities owed the Kwara State Government,” a statement by the state government’s spokesman read.
The Chairman of KWIRS, Dr. Muritala Awodun, expressed delight at the judgement and stated that the service, through its legal and enforcement department and in collaboration with the judiciary and law enforcement agencies would ensure that all revenues due to the state were recovered and paid into government coffers.
He advised corporate bodies and individuals with outstanding liabilities to comply immediately to save them from embarrassment.
The Kwara State government had recently reformed the state system and tasked the new agency, KWIRS, with a monthly target of five billion Naira.