Suspected Tax Certificate Forgers Remanded

The police at Ajah Division, Eti-Osa, Lagos southwest, Nigeria have arrested two suspects, Ide Christopher Idornigie, 39, and Ejim Moses, 38, for allegedly processing and issuing fake tax certificate to Victor Osas Iyoha, knowing same to be fake.

The incident happened at Ikota Housing Estate, Ajah, Lagos.

They were arraigned before a Tinubu magistrate’s court on a two-count charge of forging Federal Inland Revenue tax clearance certificate seal documents without lawful authority, and obtaining money under false pretence.

The police alleged that the accused persons were arrested following a compliant by Mr. Victor Osas Iyoha that the accused collected the sum of N350,000 from him to process the renewal of his company tax clearance certificate after the first accused identified himself as a tax auditor and consultant, and the second claimed he is a staff of Federal Inland  Revenue Service FIRS, Ajah office and he believed them.

He stated that he needed the tax certificate to enable him apply for a United Kingdom, UK, Visa to travel abroad.

He further claimed that the accused presented the tax certificate to him and confirmed it to be genuine. But when he presented the documents before the United Kingdom Consular office, officials who were to process his Visa, declared them fake, and in the process the officials banned him from applying for United Kingdom visa for the next 10 years claiming that he is a liar.

The offences, the prosecutor, Supol A.C. Orji said, contravened Section 409, 360 and 363 of the criminal law of Lagos State.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, and Magistrate Miss A.O. Awogboro admitted them on bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum with proof of tax payment to the Lagos State government.

She adjourned the matter for mention.

The defendants were moved to Ikoyi prison pending when they would fulfil their bail conditions.

—Paul Iyoghojie