In a bid to recover alleged evaded tax of $42,068,874.35, the Federal Government of Nigeria has renewed it’s legal battle against an on and offshore construction giant, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, and two of its officials namely Michele Poggi and Giani Di Petro.
In a seven-count amended charge filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos by a team of nine lawyers led by Barrister Bolanle Oniyangi, it was stated that:
Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, Michele Poggi, Giani Di Petro, sometime between 2010-2014 within the jurisdiction of the Court, whilst carrying out taxable services in the course of doing business, was obligated to pay companies income tax in the sum of $42,068,874.35 (forty two million, sixty eight thousand, eight hundred and seventy four dollars, thirty five cents and did fail to pay the said taxes and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under S.40 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service Establishment Act 2007 (as amended.)
It was also alleged that Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, Michele Poggi And Giani Di Petro sometime between 2010 and 2014 within the jurisdiction of the Court, whilst carrying out taxable services in the course of doing business, 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 (forty two million, sixty eight thousand, eight hundred and seventy four dollars,thirty five cents) for the purpose of paying the relevant tax administered by the Service and in so doing, committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under S.55 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended).
Furthermore, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited,Michele Poggi,Giani Di Petro sometime in 2010 and 2013, whilst carrying out taxable services in the normal course of business of Saipem Nigeria Limited, failed to issue tax invoices for services rendered within the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, in the sum of $34,656,833 and in so doing committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Value Added Tax Act of 1993 (as amended).
February 14, 2025 has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
