The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has debunked media reports that a Tax Appeal Tribunal had ordered it to pay $27.5m to the FIRS.
NLNG said in a clarification that the reports about an order were a misrepresentation of what transpired. The company said, in fact, the tribunal merely adopted an out-of-court agreement between the parties.
The NLNG statement signed by Andy Odeh, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development , titled: Re: Tax Tribunal orders NLNG to pay $27.5m to FIRS as 2016 revised Corporate Income Tax, reads:
“Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has noted media reports suggesting that a Tax Appeal Tribunal ordered NLNG to pay $27.5 million to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as a revised Company Income Tax (CIT) settlement for 2016.
“NLNG clarifies that these reports misrepresent an out-of-court settlement that was reached amicably between the parties, without prejudice to their respective legal positions, which the Tribunal merely adopted as Consent Judgment in the appeal.
“The payment by NLNG was thus made in furtherance of a settlement agreement reached between the parties and not because of any order made by the Tribunal.
“NLNG remains a responsible corporate citizen, and consistently operates in compliance with Nigerian laws and will continue to operate in line with its vision of being “a globally competitive LNG company helping to build a better Nigeria,” the statement concludes.