The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has strongly condemned what it described as an "embarrassing invasion" of two of its offices by officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over alleged non-payment of ground rent.

During a press conference held in Abuja on Monday, FIRS officials demanded a formal apology from the FCTA, claiming the enforcement action was carried out in error as the tax agency had already settled the disputed payments.

Mr. Tyofa Abeghe, Director of Facility Management Department at FIRS, categorically denied allegations that the agency owed 25 years' worth of ground rent for its offices located at No. 12 and 14, Sokode Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

"Nothing could be further from the truth on this claim as FIRS had paid the said money," Abeghe stated. He explained that following a demand notice from Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) dated September 2023, the FIRS made a payment of N2,364,003 three months later.

According to Abeghe, when the payment was not receipted and no treasury receipt was issued, he wrote a letter dated February 19, 2024, requesting confirmation and receipting of the payment. Despite the letter being acknowledged by AGIS's front desk office, no response was received.

Kunle Ogidi, Special Adviser on Infrastructure at FIRS, accused the FCTA administration of "rascality" and failing to perform due diligence before taking action. "As a law-abiding agency, FIRS does not owe FCTA ground rent on any of its offices in FCT or anywhere, including the ones invaded by these officials," he emphasized.

Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser Media for FIRS, questioned the logic behind the FCTA's selective enforcement. "FIRS has about seven offices in Sokode Crescent alone. Why are we going to pay ground rent on others and leave only two? Does that make sense?" he asked.

Other FIRS officials present at the press conference, including Collins Omokaro and Arabirin Aderonke Atoyebi, stressed the importance of strengthening inter-agency collaboration to prevent similar incidents in the future. They also apologized to staff members and taxpayers who were reportedly traumatized during the invasion.

The FIRS maintained that it had paid N2,364,003.26 covering ground rent on the properties for the fiscal years 2000 to 2024 for the two offices located on Plot 627, Sokode Crescent that were sealed by FCTA officials.

As of press time, the FCTA had not issued an official response to the allegations made by the FIRS.