The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has responded to the allegations made by NIPOST Chairman, Barrister Maimuna Yaya Abubakar.
In a series of tweets, Abubakar accused the FIRS of taking business from NIPOST. She said the Federal Inland Revenue Service stole NIPOST’s “mandate” and she begged Nigerians to “come to our aid”.
Taking to Twitter, Abubakar wrote: “FIRS are now selling stamps instead of buying from us.
She continued: “NIPOST are the sole custodians of national stamps, another agency printing and selling stamps is against the law of the land.”
She also accused FIRS of stealing NIPOST’s ideas.
Reacting, FIRS via its official Twitter account stated that there is a “difference between Stamp Duty and Postage Stamp” and added that “it is unfortunate that Mrs. Maimuna Abubakar, Chairperson of the NIPOST Board is yet to understand this.”
The FIRS statement, approved by Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, Director Communication and Liaison Federal Inland Revenue Service, said the NIPOST boss’ claims are “preposterous” and a “great disservice to the government and people of Nigeria.”
The statement added that FIRS “operate within the ambit of the law.”
The FIRS went on to state the function of NIPOST, adding that the administration of stamp duties in Nigeria is not part of that function.
FIRS tweeted: “To be sure, NIPOST is a government parastatal established by Decree 41 of 1992 with the function to *develop, promote, and provide adequate and efficiently co-ordinated postal services at reasonable rates* .
“This function is clearly contrary to the claim by NIPOST over the administration of stamp duties in Nigeria.
“On the other hand, the FIRS is the sole agency of got charged with the responsibility of *assessing, collecting, and accounting for all tax types including Stamp Duties*
“It is therefore shocking to us that such a privileged young lady who happened to be appointed to high office would throw all caution to the air to cast aspersions on reputable public institutions like the National Assembly and FIRS, which she accused of stealing NIPOST idea.”
FIRS also accused NIPOST of operating an “illegal” Stamp Duties Account.
FIRS tweeted: “The FIRS is determined to not only ensure that all monies collected by NIPOST into its illegally operated Stamp Duties Account are fully remitted into the Federation Account but also make sure that any kobo not accounted for in that account is legally recovered…”
Read the rest of the statement shared by the FIRS below.
