Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
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Tax officials of the western Nigerian state of Ogun have been attacked by workers of one of Nigeria’s largest pentecostal churches, the Winners Chapel, owned by Bishop David Oyedepo.

The attack happened in the premises of the church, officially known as Living Faith Church Worldwide in Ota.

The tax men had gone to the Kingdom Heritage Nursery School,located within the premises of the Church Worldwide, when they were attacked.

One of the tax men is still on admission in the hospital,in Ilaro, while several others were injured. Some of the tax men, were even detained by security officials of the church, until they were freed by the local divisional police officer.

The full picture of the attack was given at a press briefing Friday afternoon at the State Government Press Centre,Oke Mosan,Abeokuta, by the Chairman of the agency,Mr Jide Odubanjo.

He explained that the incident occurred when his men were on a routine exercise of ensuring total compliance with the tax laws of the state.

“Yesterday,an ugly incident occurred in the premises of Kingdom Heritage Nursery School,a commercial venture which is located within the complex of Winners Chapel,Ota,Ogun State.Officials of Ogun State Internal Revenue Service,OGIRS were violently asaulted and later unlawfully detained in the premises for a number of hours.As a result of this incident,an officer of the agency is currently hospitalised in Ilaro while others with mnor injuries have been treated and discharged..”,he said.

Odubanjo further revealed that the policemen attached to the agency were also manhandled by those whom he refered to as,’overzealous officials’ of the church.

OGIRS Boss revealed that several notices have been sent to them to offset their tax debt which he stated was below N2million.

“What they owed is below two million naira,it is from 2003 to 2010.We have sent several notices to them.The first one was in 2010 followed by that of 2011 and the last was in May 2013.Our men were explaining to them when some personnel including their legal officer and accountant came out and in the course of discussion,our men were beaten blue black and our equipment were destroyed.

“We view this as the height of irresponsibility and lawlessness for any person or group of persons to assault government officials who are performing their lawful duties. A formal complaint has been lodged with the Police.The position of the State government is that it will not tolerate any form of violence against any of its officers or agents in the lawful discharge of their duties”,he maintained.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,Mrs Abimbola Akeredolu said the charges that will be pressed against the attackers will be based on the statement made to the police.

“Without prejudice to the fact on ground and with the video evidence we have just watched,they may likely be charged for false imprisonment and assault”,Akeredolu stated.
http://.mobi/output.php?id=11735

Ok,we don hear you,you sent notice to them in 2010,2011,........2013 u decide to invade the church premises with police,what happen in 2012?

Imagine this "Holy Thieves"!!!!

After charging outrageous fees they still do not want to pay tax.

Christians are the worse set of hypocrites on this earth.

Even the Holy Bible urges Christians to give back to the government what belongs to them...

This penterascal churches sef na waooo

This one na ogbanje Christianity.

It's now left for the obsessed followers to justify the incident

Some people just like to give christianity a bad name.
Why fight in the house of God, are the church workers thugs or fighters??
You can't fight for God, don't they preach that in their church?
SMH!!

Their general overseer dishes out 'holy-slaps' on the pulpit; what do you expect from the followers?

The first question should be, do mission schools pay tax? Secondly, is that School registered as an organ of the Church (religious bodies are exempted from paying tax)?

Why didn't the government use the court system instead of Agberos having informed them (the church) legally their obligation to the government as presumably required by the law?

The answers to the above questions will give us insight to what are judgements ought to be.

In another development, what contribution is the government of Ogun State making to subsidise that Nursery and Primary School. The State budget for education is meant to cater for all its citizens as it should provide them with textbooks and other educational aids before demanding for tax or returns.

There is an obligation before responsibility. All parents that have their wards in that school probably pay tax to government without reaping any government assistance.

These are my personal opinion, don't quote or attack me.

Afam4eva: This one na ogbanje Christianity.

Guy Na Every Thread U Dey! Shey U Be Advert Ni??

Ngwakwe: The first question should be, do mission schools pay tax? Secondly, is that School registered as an organ of the Church (religious bodies are exempted from paying tax)?

Why didn't the government use the court system instead of Agberos having informed them (the church) legally their obligation to the government as presumably required by the law?

The answers to the above questions will give us insight to what are judgements ought to be.

In another development, what contribution is the government of Ogun State making to subsidise that Nursery and Primary School. The State budget for education is meant to cater for all its citizens as it should provide them with textbooks and other educational aids before demanding for tax or returns.

There is an obligation before responsibility. All parents that have their wards in that school probably pay tax to government without reaping any government assistance.

These are my personal opinion, don't quote or attack me.

1. I am quoting u!

2. A school is a money making venture

3. A private institution is outside the jurisdiction of the state in regulating their fees!

4. For the purpose of '3' above, they are expected to pay tax as their fees cld be regulated to accommodate the expected tax!

5. The school shld be sealed off and the proprietor jailed for tax evasion!

A church is now being used as a detention camp





Christianity they say, is a cool religion.

Toktee: Ok,we don hear you,you sent notice to them in 2010,2011,........2013 u decide to invade the church premises with police,what happen in 2012?

are you alright?

ujchief: Their general overseer dishes out 'holy-slaps' on the pulpit; what do you expect from the followers?

so that matter is still in your little mind?whew! U reli need to wake up!

ujchief: Their general overseer dishes out 'holy-slaps' on the pulpit; what do you expect from the followers?

Kai bros LOL

Ngwakwe: The first question should be, do mission schools pay tax? Secondly, is that School registered as an organ of the Church (religious bodies are exempted from paying tax)?

Why didn't the government use the court system instead of Agberos having informed them (the church) legally their obligation to the government as presumably required by the law?

The answers to the above questions will give us insight to what are judgements ought to be.

In another development, what contribution is the government of Ogun State making to subsidise that Nursery and Primary School. The State budget for education is meant to cater for all its citizens as it should provide them with textbooks and other educational aids before demanding for tax or returns.

There is an obligation before responsibility. All parents that have their wards in that school probably pay tax to government without reaping any government assistance.

These are my personal opinion, don't quote or attack me.

at bolded Do you expect Govt to subsidise private school in providing books?

If the story is true, then the church has shown an extreme lack of morality. A condign punishment should be accordingly given to the church by the state.

Now I wonder why this particular church is always in the news for the wrong things. Are these stories sponsored or something?

If this so called tax officials have ever invaded your premises on one frivolous charge or the other at some point you will prepare acid for them!! there is definitely more to this story and both parties needs to state their own side of the story!!! Waiting for Winners side.

Ngwakwe: The first question should be, do mission schools pay tax? Secondly, is that School registered as an organ of the Church (religious bodies are exempted from paying tax)?

the school is not a mission school.mission schools were established by missionaries and provided free education.does the school provide free education?NO.infact its beyond the reach of the average itizen so its a business venture and is therefore taxable

Ngwakwe: Why didn't the government use the court system instead of Agberos having informed them (the church) legally their obligation to the government as presumably required by the law?

are you trying to say the government should not be able to send its officials to compel a business entity to fulfil its obligations?but rather it should go to court to get a business to pay taxes?simply because that business is owned by a church?
are you by any chance refering to employees of the ogun state internal revenue service as agberos?didnt you read the part where they went along with police escort?

Ngwakwe: The answers to the above questions will give us insight to what are judgements ought to be.

In another development, what contribution is the government of Ogun State making to subsidise that Nursery and Primary School. The State budget for education is meant to cater for all its citizens as it should provide them with textbooks and other educational aids before demanding for tax or returns.

There is an obligation before responsibility. All parents that have their wards in that school probably pay tax to government without reaping any government assistance.

These are my personal opinion, don't quote or attack me.

the government has a responsibility to schools under its care which are public schools.no government will ask schools that dont charge fees to pay taxes.perhaps you dont know how much faith academy charges per term.that should have been your first task but i have helped you out

http://www.faithacademyportal.com/

students resuming sept 11 2013 are to pay 189,000(one hundred and eighty-nine thousand naira)ONLY.is that a mission school?then PTA levy of 10k then there is a long list of things for them to buy and bring to the school.and you are saying government should subsidise them.you must be high on goodluck jonathan's fresh air

You people should continue speaking evil about men of GOD and continue criticising any little gossip you hear without proper justification . You don't believe when they you about the "things of GOD" but you foolishly believe any report the news men and bloggers have to say. "O ye generation of vipers and vain sayers pulling down the kingdom of GOD" ,it's people like you that die mysteriously "woe unto you". Any man that calls the name of GOD is answerable to GOD in all his doings and GOD would deal with such fellow as it pleases him, so it's not in your responsibility as humans to judge or raise your tongue vainly on any religious matters( christians or muslims). Be warned, for whether you believe it or not "the son of man shall coming again and all shall give account of his deeds knowingly or unknowingly".

NB: I'm not saying this report isn't true, but this is Nigeria where you have to verify the authenticity of any news before coming to a conclusion. A coin as we all know has two sides, so before you start saying gibberish that would cut your days here on earth or bring great calamity upon your head do your self a little favour by digging deep into the issue @ hand properly before commenting.

Ngwakwe: The first question should be, do mission schools pay tax? Secondly, is that School registered as an organ of the Church (religious bodies are exempted from paying tax)?

Why didn't the government use the court system instead of Agberos having informed them (the church) legally their obligation to the government as presumably required by the law?

The answers to the above questions will give us insight to what are judgements ought to be.

In another development, what contribution is the government of Ogun State making to subsidise that Nursery and Primary School. The State budget for education is meant to cater for all its citizens as it should provide them with textbooks and other educational aids before demanding for tax or returns.

There is an obligation before responsibility. All parents that have their wards in that school probably pay tax to government without reaping any government assistance.

These are my personal opinion, don't quote or attack me.

I will need to answer some of your questions.
1. The tax officials are educated and well-informed, they know the law and registration procedures of schools and other organisations. Since the school is a fee-paying school, they must pay tax. Jesus Christ did that too.
2. Do not be too emotional about you so-called man of God and his business-church just because you are a member. We need to put sentiments aside and face the issue of attack on government officials.
3. Remember Jesus Christ respected the government officials who came to arrest him, he corrected one of his apostles who attacked one of the officials.
4. You mentioned Agbero, may God forgive you over-zealous, brain-washed church-goer. Ogun state IRS officials are professionals. I am sure you were not at the scene of the show of shame the violent criminals in your church.

Why not use the school's name to address your case instead of the church ?

Delafruita: are you alright?

Answer the question or keep ur toilet shut