The Lagos state government has told Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, to pay a total sum of N18,640,092.00 as personal income tax within seven days.
Iyabo Ojo, according to the Lagos government, owes N7,376,000.00 in taxes for the year 2022 and N11,264,092 in back taxes for the 2021 tax year.
The actress was given a seven-day deadline to make good on her debt or face penalties.
Iyabo Ojo responded to the letter by criticising the method used to determine the tax amount.
The actress hinted that she would not pay and that she was ready to face arrest.
She was quoted by PM News as saying: “Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu please, how do you people come up with these outrageous personal income taxes you send on a daily basis?
“After paying for different types of taxes for one’s businesses, house and all, you still come up with all this huge amount and give me 7 days to pay up, lol. Last time, you people asked me to come to your office, I came, you asked me to explain and declare what I earn, which I did with my tax consultant, but no you did not respond to my letter, because you want me to pay you an outrageous amount that I do not have, make i go thief ni? I ask again, “How do you people come up with such outrageous bills?
“I don’t know how much you think I get paid. Hence, your team will come up with this conclusion.
“What have you people ever done for me as a government? NOTHING!!! I have single-handedly raised my kids and so many others, plus myself without a single penny from the government. Yet you feel so entitled to reaping over 100% from where you did not sow.
“I have worked, and I’m still working tirelessly to survive in this country without the support of the government, but yet you just sit in your office and come up with different outrageous bills. Nothing is working right in this country, but yet you feel the need to take from where you have not sworn. Since you guys insist, You can gladly come and close down my business, arrest me, jail me, or kill me for all I care, we all will die one day and I will never be afraid of what will eventually be everyone’s fate. What I do not have, I cannot give. I have no FEAR.”