FG obtains list of 500 Nigerians implicated in tax fraud

The Federal Government of Nigerian has said that she is now in possession of names of 500 Nigerians implicated in tax fraud.

Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President made this known in a statement made on Thursday night.

The release highlighted the outcome of the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC).

The meeting was presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Akande’s statement read in part: “Ad-Hoc Committee of the National Economic Council reported back to the Council that a number of revenue-generating agencies may have significantly under remitted returns to the Federation Account.

“The Council had previously ordered the forensic audit to review remittances of the agencies covering 2010 to May 2015. While Council received an updated interim report today, a final report is awaited next month.

“The Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, also informed the Council that a list of about 500 Nigerians with property and trusts abroad has been obtained to determine their tax compliance status at home.

“She explained that such Nigerians can take advantage of the Voluntary Assets & Income Declaration Scheme, VAIDS, to settle past taxation defaults.

“Letters would soon be going out to these Nigerians, including a number of prominent ones, asking them to take advantage of the tax amnesty in order to avoid prosecution and fines by simply paying up their tax defaults.

“The amnesty is available till March next year.”