The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF) has uncovered tax irregularities totaling N14.33 billion across over 30 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The revelation was contained in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses, which examined financial activities between 2020 and 2021.
The report highlighted severe lapses in the deduction, remittance, and compliance with financial regulations, raising concerns about the financial accountability of the affected MDAs.
It cited breaches of Paragraphs 234 and 235 of the Financial Regulations (2009), which mandate accounting officers to ensure the prompt deduction and remittance of all applicable taxes, including Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax, to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
According to the report, six MDAs were responsible for tax under-deductions amounting to N129.34 million.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Abuja, was the most significant defaulter, with a shortfall of N90.57 million.
In contrast, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Abuja, recorded the smallest deficit of N623,162.80.
“The sum of N129,341,764.04 was the amount of under-deduction of taxes by six ministries, departments, and agencies,” the report stated.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps, Abuja, has the highest amount of N90,579,554.92, while the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Abuja, has the least amount of N623,162.80.”
Other implicated agencies in this category include the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State; Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc, Abuja; National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna; and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
Even more alarming were cases of non-deduction of taxes, which amounted to N2.64 billion across 21 MDAs.
The report revealed that these agencies failed to deduct taxes from payments made to contractors and other beneficiaries, a clear violation of financial regulations.
The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPM) Plc, Abuja, was identified as the worst offender, with N1.01 billion in tax discrepancies.
Meanwhile, the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, recorded the smallest infraction at N617,427.66.
“The sum of N2,636,147,740.99 was the amount of taxes not deducted from payments to several beneficiaries by 21 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies,” the report disclosed.
“The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc, Abuja, has the highest amount of N1,009,286,718.93, while the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, has the least amount of N617,427.66.”
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
