Buhari's Administration Marred by Tax Fraud: N14.33bn Scandal Involves Over 30 Ministries, Agencies
The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF) has uncovered tax irregularities totaling N14.33 billion across over 30 Nigerian Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This revelation is part of the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses, covering the period between 2020 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.
The report exposed significant lapses in tax deductions, remittances, and compliance with financial regulations. Specifically, six MDAs were found to have under-deducted taxes amounting to N129.34 million, in violation of Paragraphs 234 and 235 of the Financial Regulations (2009), which mandate prompt remittance of applicable taxes such as Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) emerged as the leading offender, with an under-deduction of N90.57 million, while the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment recorded the lowest shortfall of N623,162.80. Other implicated agencies include the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPM), National Water Resources Institute, and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
A more alarming discovery was the non-deduction of taxes totaling N2.64 billion across 21 MDAs. This category involved agencies failing to deduct taxes from payments made to contractors and beneficiaries. The NSPM led this category with discrepancies amounting to N1.01 billion, while the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, accounted for the lowest shortfall of N617,427.66.
The report highlights these violations as indicative of systemic non-compliance, raising questions about fiscal discipline and the effectiveness of internal controls within Nigeria's public sector.
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