By Jonas Oketola
Segilola Resources Operating Limited, a mining company operating in the state, has remitted a sum of N183 million into the coffers of Osun State Government.
This medium learnt the amount was paid into Osun Government’s coffers after the premises of the companied was sealed off through an order of Osun State Magistrates Court.
The presiding magistrate, Dr. Segun Ayilara, had granted the request of the State Government to distrain the company for various tax violations.
The government had accused the company of failure to disclose fully the employees directly and indirectly involved in its business activities, adding that it also obstructed tax processes by failing to provide timely tax information and documents.
Segilola Resources Operating Limited is one of the major companies carrying out mining activities and mineral exploration in the State as a subsidiary of Thors Explorations Limited listed on London and Toronto Stock Exchanges.
The government had accused the company of tax evasion and refusal to pay it dividends for shares it bought and after series of demands, meetings, consultations, and engagements, the company allegedly remained adamant and remorseless in its tax evasion and other violations.
The Attorney -General of Osun State approached the Court and consequently obtained an Order of the Court to seal up the Company until the due sum calculated from 2019 to 2023 is fully liquidated into the Osun State Government Account.
Although, Segilola had got an order of a Federal High Court to unseal the company, Osun State Governor, however approached an Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa and got an order, sealing the company.
“After the company was sealed the second time, the management of Segilola, decided to tow the path of peace. The company paid into Osun Government’s coffers a sum of N183 million in first instalment.
“It also promised to pay a sum of N500 million naira 6 weeks after the payment of the first instalment,” a source within government told this medium.
But curiously, the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, either personally or through aides, has not publicly owned up to collecting the sum already remitted by the company since the money was paid.
A competent source within government, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the company’s premises had been unsealed since.
He added that the premises was vacated after payment of the first instalment of N183million.
He however raised concerns following refusal by the Adeleke administration to owned up to collecting part-payment from the company.
“From the documents available to me, the company had signed an agreement with the government on how it would defray the remainder of its tax debt. The concern of everyone now is that the amount already paid may end up in private pocket of top officials of government because the collection was not made public,” he concluded.
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