The Federal Government has charged five former tax operatives of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) before the Federal High Court Abuja for alleged fraud and forgery of tax clearance certificate.
The suspects; Batimehin Ojo, Atere Ayodeji, Adegbite Adewale, Yusuf Olatunji and Mustapha Dodo are facing 31-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and fraud.
The charge filed before the court on Monday, the defendants were alleged to have defrauded the country of huge sums through the issuance of forged tax clearance certificates to company owners.
They were alleged to have impersonated a former senior tax manager with the FIRS, Mr. Nwogu Chris, to issue out fake tax clearance certificates to some unsuspecting tax payers.
The suspects were alleged to have in Nov. 2011, issued the companies income tax clearance certificates with Serial No: 05329283 covering tax years 2008, 2009 and 2010 in favour of Release Auto Garage Company Ltd.
The offence is contrary to section 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.
The suspects were also alleged to have forged a seal of the FIRS which they appended on forged companies income tax clearance certificates.
The suit was instituted on behalf of the federal government, by the Assistant Director and Head, Criminal Prosecution Unit, Legal Department, FIRS headquarters, Mr. James Binang.
The suspects will be arraigned before Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division on Dec. 1, 2015