The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) sealed the headquarters of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) yesterday, causing an emergency evacuation of staff despite the drizzle in the city. FIRS police officers stood guard as AEDC employees left the premises.
Last month, AEDC published a list of government agencies owing electricity bills, excluding FIRS, although a January list showed FIRS owed AEDC N362,387,502. The current status of the bill remains unclear.
FIRS’s Special Adviser, Zach Adedeji, directed inquiries about the tax violation to AEDC. AEDC’s spokesperson, Adefisayo Akinsanya, did not respond to requests for comment.
An AEDC staff member suggested the closure resulted from unpaid taxes, despite recent discussions between the two organizations aimed at resolving the issue amicably. The staff member viewed the closure as a show of force by FIRS.