GT Bank in Abakaliki has been sealed by the Ebonyi State government over non-payment of tax.
According to the government, because of its inability to pay its tax to the government of Ebonyi state, the bank was sealed.
On Tuesday morning, Ebonyi state Internal Revenue Board Services Task force team visited the bank visited the bank and ordered its immediate closure.
Mr. Okoro Celestine, the leader of the team and head of Integrated Revenue, Ebonyi State Internal Revenue Board Service, stated that the bank had failed to respond to several demand notices since January to pay their accumulated tax. He also said the board had a court order which empowered it to seal the bank.
“This is not the first time we are coming here. Several demand notices have been served to them from January 14, 2022, to date, and we have a procedure, we don’t just come and seal. A court order has been granted for us to come and seal it. First demand notice was given to them. A reminder was also given to them but they refused. We don’t have any other option, we will not fight them other than to do the needful by seeking a court order to seal them”.
“We feel it is very necessary for it to be sealed today. We are not going to unseal it until they comply. We didn’t just start this journey today. It has been from January till date, which is seven months,” He said.
The manager of the bank declined when contacted to comment on the issue.