Reps Allege Falsification Of Documents In N2.6trn MTN Tax Evasion Scandal

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts as assured that it would unravel the mystery behind and alleged N2.6 trillion capital allowances granted to MTN by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Chairman of the committee, Oluwole Oke while speaking at the resumed investigative hearing into the Audit queries on tax evasion issued by the office of the Auditor General for the Federation (oAuGF), said  oAuGF report indicated that the documents relating to the N2.6 trillion capital allowances were allegedly forged.

Oke explained that the oAuGF had in its report observed that Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) accorded value to the telecoms company while in some cases without certificates and evidence of capital allowance issued by Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry reflecting the whole assets procured by the company.

One, however, maintained that Nigerians have rights to know the implications of MTN taking a certificate of N2.6 trillion to FIRS for tax waivers on the economy.

While responding, MTN’s general manager, Mrs. Yemisi Adebayo explained that the Company has submitted all relevant documents issued by Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry reflecting the value of N2.6 trillion given to MTN. Hence, the ministry, based on their selection using supporting documents granted the allowances.

While giving details on the claims made by the company for capital allowance, she disclosed that the sum of N18,967,410,769 was claimed in 2016.