The Abia State Government has sealed the offices of telecommunications company Globacom Limited in Umuahia and Aba over alleged failure to remit more than ₦4 billion in outstanding taxes.
Newsonspot reports that the enforcement action was carried out by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS) on Thursday, following a High Court order that authorised the distraint of the company’s premises.
According to ABIRS Deputy Director of Information, Mrs. Emelle Akunna Loveth, the development followed a court ruling delivered on January 14, 2026, in Suit No. HU/225M/2025. The court directed Globacom to pay ₦4,048,748,880, representing unremitted Right of Way (RoW) withholding taxes and other statutory levies owed from 2010 to 2022.
The court also ordered the telecom firm to pay a 10 percent annual interest on the debt, calculated from the original due dates until full payment is made.
Under the Abia State Tax (Codification and Consolidation) Law 2020, the revenue service has the authority to seize Globacom’s goods, chattels, and properties within the state. Mrs. Loveth said the sealing of the offices was carried out in strict compliance with the court order.
She added that if the debt remains unpaid after 14 days, the state government may proceed to sell the seized properties to recover the outstanding amount.
While stressing its commitment to the rule of law, the Abia State Government said it is open to dialogue, but only after Globacom fully complies with the court’s directives. The government reiterated that all corporate organisations must meet their tax obligations.
