NAN Report
November 23, 2017: Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President (Office of the Vice President) has disclosed that the federal government has obtained the names of 500 Nigerians implicated in various cases of tax fraud across the country. Laolu made this known while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) which was presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday.
Mr. Akande told the correspondents that the Minister of Finance informed the Council the affected individuals were found to have under declared their assets. He, however, stated that the federal government had planned to provide amnesty to those repentant tax defaulters in the country.
“On the Voluntary Aid Assets and Income Declaration Scheme, the minister said there was progress and the list of 500 Nigerians who were believed to have under declared their assets has already been obtained.
“She said the scheme would offer an amnesty opportunity for all tax defaulters,’’ he added.
“The Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) was formally inaugurated on June 29, by the federal government.
“VAIDS is an initiative designed to encourage voluntary disclosure of previously undisclosed assets and income for the purpose of payment of all outstanding tax liabilities.”
On Value Added Tax, Mr. Akande said the minister also informed the Council that the highest amount of N89 billion was generated in the month of October 2017. She also added that the target was N120 billion monthly.