The Nigeria Inland Revenue Service (IRS) has filed a six-count criminal charge against oil and gas firm Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited and two of its senior Directors, Michele Poggi and Giani Di Petro, over alleged tax fraud amounting to N66.4 billion and $938,080 between 2014 and 2019.

The company and its Directors were charged before Justice Daniel Osiagor of a Federal High Court, Lagos, following an investigation into the firm’s tax compliance records during the six-year assessment period.

Prosecutor Moses Ideho, informed the court that the Defendants failed to deduct and remit multiple categories of taxes, including Companies Income Tax, Tertiary Education Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Withholding Tax, Value Added Tax, Stamp Duties, and the Nigeria Police Trust Fund levy, while carrying out taxable business operations in Nigeria. The alleged illegal acts are contrary to sections of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2007, and the Companies Income Tax Act, Cap C21 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

At the scheduled arraignment on Friday, the Defendants were conspicuously absent, but were represented by B. A. Sodipo, SAN, leading three other Lawyers. The defence informed the court that a Notice of Preliminary Objection had been filed, on behalf of the Defendants.

The Prosecutor told the court that he was served with the Defendants’ notice on Thursday, and requested time to respond. Consequently, Justice Osiagor adjourned the matter to June 29 for hearing of the preliminary objection.

The charges allege that the Defendants failed to remit taxes, submitted false returns, and wilfully neglected to pay assessed taxes, resulting in the huge sum remaining unpaid to the Federal Government.

______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion. Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. _______________________________________________________________________