Benue govt seals Rep Achado’s City Bay Park over unpaid taxes

The Benue state government has sealed off City Bay Park, owned by Rep. Asema Achado (APC/Gwer East/Gwer West), for failure to pay the required taxes.

Achado confirmed the action during a press briefing in Makurdi on Thursday, revealing that the park and his Benysta Microfinance Bank were sealed on December 23 due to unpaid tax obligations. The taxes included N20,000 for business registration and a N219,000 penalty for tax default.

However, Achado stated that the payments were made promptly—N20,000 for registration, N219,000 for the penalty, and an additional N20,000 unsealing fee—at the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), and receipts were issued.

Despite the payments, the premises were unsealed temporarily but later resealed for reasons unknown. Achado also described the second sealing as aggressive, involving excessive force and the use of tear gas, which caused distress among patrons.

The Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) clarified that it was not responsible for the enforcement, stating that the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment carried out the action, with BIRS only involved in collecting the revenue. Attempts to reach the ministry’s commissioner, Alumo Orpin, were unsuccessful.