Ebonyi Govt seals GTB Bank over Tax Indebtedness

The Ebonyi state Government has shut down one of the leading commercial banks the Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital following their inability to pay their tax to Ebonyi state government
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The bank in question was busy carrying out their business transactions today when the taskforce team from Ebonyi State Board of Internal Revenue Service visited the bank and ordered for the immediate closure of the bank because of their inability to pay their tax.

The leader of the team, Mr. Okoro Celestine who is the head of Integrated Revenue, Ebonyi State Board of Internal Revenue Service told journalists in Abakaliki that the decided to seal the bank over their inability to respond to their demand notices to pay their accumulated tax saying that the sought for court order before coming to seal the bank.

He explained that several demand notices has been served to them from January 14th till date, but they were unable to clear the tax.

“The reason why we sealed the bank was that they have not been paying their taxes and levies which have accumulated.

“This is not the first time we are coming here, several demand notices has been served to them from January 14th, 2022 till date, and we have a procedure, we don’t just come and seal. A court order has been granted for us to come and seal it.

“First demand notice was giving to them; a remind notice was also giving to them but the refused. We don’t have any other option; we are not going to fight them other than to do the needful by seeking court order to seal them.

“We feel that it is very necessary for it to be sealed today. We are not going to unseal it, until they comply. We don’t just start this journey today, it has been from January till date which is seven months.

However, the amount of money owed as tax was not disclosed but a close source from the board said they owe over hundred million naira to Ebonyi State Government.

All efforts made to get the reaction of the bank manager proved abortive as he declined to speak over the matter.