Equal tax execution on Yoruba, Igbo traders – Kwara IRS denies discrimination

The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) has firmly denied allegations of discriminatory tax practices against Igbo traders in Ilorin, asserting that the tax policies are applied equally to all traders, regardless of their ethnicity.

Funmilola Oguntobi, Head of Corporate Affairs at KWIRS, addressed the allegations on Saturday, responding to an article published by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) on July 31, 2024.

The article accused KWIRS of targeting Igbo traders with biased tax policies.

In her statement, Oguntobi stated, “We are tempted to believe that this false narrative was at the instance of some members of the Kwara State Igbo Traders Association (KWAITA), which has recently instituted a legal action against the Service on 12th July, 2024, on the same subject matter before the Kwara State High Court in suit KWS/308/24 – Nwankwo Sylvester & 90 ORS Vs Kwara State Internal Revenue Service & 2 ORS. This action of twisting the facts through a media publication is, therefore, in bad faith.”

Oguntobi clarified that the recent execution of judgments affected six traders equally: three Igbo traders and three Yoruba traders.

The Igbo traders affected include:

• An electrical appliances store at No. 154 Ibrahim Taiwo Road, opposite Stadium Gate, Ilorin.
• A boutique dealer at No. 12, Taiwo Isale Ilorin, opposite Gada Market.
• An automobile spare parts dealer at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, adjacent Lapariah Tech, Owoniboys Building, Ilorin.

The Yoruba traders affected are:

• A phone accessories dealer at No. 60, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, opposite Methodist Church, Taiwo Isale, Ilorin.
• A trader at No. 147, beside GTB Plc, Ibrahim Taiwo Road.
• An educational services provider at No. 278 Upper Taiwo Road, beside Mama From Store.

“We have made these disclosures as a matter of probity to give the lie to the wicked claims that any specific individuals are being targeted,” Oguntobi added.

KWIRS emphasized that their tax policies are non-discriminatory and comply with the Personal Income Tax Act of 2011 (as amended).

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and judicial processes, urging media outlets and individuals to refrain from misleading the public and undermining judicial proceedings.

“In conclusion, we advise ICIR and those behind the unpatriotic publication to refrain from heating up the polity by subjecting matters already before a competent court to a court of public opinion, where players sometimes intentionally choose which facts to state and which facts to suppress in the pursuit of their agenda. We urge the platform to refrain from interfering with the constitutional powers and functions of the court,” the statement concluded.