BREAKING: Abia State Government Seals Globacom Offices Over ₦4bn Tax Debt

The Abia State Government has taken a decisive step against telecommunications giant Globacom Limited, sealing its operational offices in Umuahia and Aba.

This move follows the company’s alleged failure to remit over ₦4 billion in outstanding tax liabilities to the state’s coffers.

The enforcement exercise was carried out by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS) on Thursday. The agency acted on the strength of a valid order issued by the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division, which authorized the distraint of the company’s premises.

The Deputy Director of Information for ABIRS, Mrs. Emelle Akunna Loveth, confirmed the development in a statement, noting that the action was the culmination of a legal battle tracked under Court Suit No. HU/225M/2025.

The court had previously ruled on January 14, 2026, directing Globacom to settle a total sum of ₦4,048,748,880. This figure represents unremitted Right of Way (RoW) withholding taxes and other statutory levies spanning a 12-year period from 2010 to 2022.

Beyond the principal sum, the court also mandated the telecommunications firm to pay a 10 percent annual interest on the debt. This interest started accruing from the original due dates of the taxes and will continue until the entire liability is liquidated.

Under the Abia State Tax (Codification and Consolidation) Law, 2020, the revenue board has been empowered to go beyond just sealing the offices. The court order allows ABIRS to seize “goods, chattels, and premises” belonging to Globacom within the state.

Mrs. Loveth explained that the government is prepared to follow the law to its logical conclusion.

“The sealing of the offices was a lawful measure strictly in compliance with the court order,” she stated.

She further warned that if the debt remains unpaid after 14 days, the state reserves the right to sell the distrained properties to recover the ₦4 billion debt.

However, the Abia State Government, through ABIRS, emphasized that the state is open to dialogue but only after Globacom shows full compliance with the court’s directives. The agency reiterated that Governor Alex Otti’s administration remains committed to the rule of law and will ensure all corporate citizens fulfill their fiscal responsibilities.