FIRS Battles SAIPEM Company Over Unpaid Tax

In a renewed legal battle to recover the sum of $57,753,337.64 and EURO 14,494,977.68 that a limited liability company SAIPEM CONTRACTING NIGERIA LIMITED has refused to pay as tax to Federal Government of Nigeria, FEDERAL INLAND REVENUE SERVICE has filed two separate amended Charges before a Federal high court in Lagos against the company.

The two charges were filed before the court by ten combined team of legal officers from Litigation & Prosecution Department of Federal Inland Revenue Service 20 Sokode Cresent Wuse Zone 5,Abuja.

In the first seven count amended charge marked FHC/L/907C/24,it was allegedly stated that

SAIPEM CONTRACTING NIGERIA LIMITED sometime between 2010- 2014, whilst carrying out taxable services in the course of doing business, was obligated to pay Company income tax in the sum of 42,068,874.35 but failed to file accurate and complete Companies income tax returns in the prescribed form and manner for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 years of assessment in the sum of $42,068,874.35 for the purpose of paying the relevant tax administered by the Service and in so doing, committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 55 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended).

It was further alleged that SAIPEM CONTRACTING NIGERIA LIMITED sometimes in 2010 and 2023 whilst carrying out taxable services in the normal course of Business of SAIPEM SA, failed to issue tax invoices for services rendered within the years 2010,2011,2012,2013,in the sum of$34,656,833.and in doing so committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 29 of the value Added Tax Act of 1993(as amended)

In the second ten count amended charge marked FHC/L/908C/24, It was further alleged That SAIPEM CONTRACTING NIGERIA LIMITED sometime between 2010 – 2014 whilst carrying out taxable services in the course of doing business, was obligated to pay companies income tax in the sum of $15,684,463.29 and EURO14,494,977.68 failed to file accurate and complete Companies income tax returns in the prescribed form and manner for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 years of assessment in the sum of $15,684,463.29 and EUR014,494,977.68 for the purpose of paying the relevant tax administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service and in so doing, committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 55 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended).

It was further alleged that, the company did unlawfully and willfully failed to file it’s true and correct returns, refused, neglected and failed to appear before the Tax Office for the purpose of examination of returns and failed to produce information to the officers of the officers of Federal Inland Revenue service with the respect of the income tax returns.

The company was also accused of not registering with the Federal Inland Revenue Service for the purpose of paying the relevant tax administered by the service.

Meanwhile, the court has fixed 6th of October,2025 for trial to commence.