The Niger State Internal Revenue Service (NGSIRS) on Friday, June 5, 2026, sealed off two branches of Unity Bank in Minna over an alleged unremitted tax liability of N1.7 billion to the state government. The enforcement was carried out by a task force led by the Director of Tax Audit and Investigation, Mr. Musa Hayatullah, in the early hours of the morning.
Branches Sealed and Alleged Tax Liability
The two Unity Bank branches sealed by NGSIRS are located along Mobil Roundabout and Paiko Road in the Niger State capital. According to Hayatullah, the action follows the bank's refusal to remit its tax obligations for the 2022 to 2024 assessment years, despite repeated notices and reminders from the revenue authority.
Hayatullah explained that the state revenue agency conducted tax audits on all commercial banks in Niger State. While other banks honored their tax obligations and paid the monies due, Unity Bank allegedly failed to remit its assessed liabilities after due assessments were finalized by the agency.
Due Process and Court Order
The Director of Tax Audit and Investigation stated that NGSIRS followed due process, including several engagements with the bank, before obtaining court backing for the enforcement action. The Niger State High Court in Minna had on June 4, 2026, granted an order to the agency to distrain the bank and recover the outstanding tax liability from its facilities.
Hayatullah said: “This development became necessary following the bank’s persistent refusal to settle its tax debts after several pronouncements and administrative appeals, compelling NGSIRS to seek court backing. As part of broader enforcement measures to boost Internally Generated Revenue and entrench tax compliance in the state, the agency will continue to pursue all defaulters strictly within the ambit of the law. No organization is too big or too small to fall within the tax net of Niger State.”
Broader Enforcement and Tax Compliance
The revenue service reiterated that the actions were legally sanctioned and that enforcement would continue against all organizations found defaulting in their tax obligations after all administrative options were exhausted. The closure of the two Unity Bank branches is part of a wider effort to enhance tax compliance in Niger State.
Supreme Court Ruling on Unity Bank Merger
In a related development, the Supreme Court of Nigeria recently resolved a dispute surrounding the proposed merger between Providus Bank Limited and Unity Bank Plc. The court dismissed an appeal challenging the transaction and awarded costs of N10 million against the appellants in favor of each respondent. The court also ordered that all assets, properties, and undertakings of Unity Bank Plc, including its real estate, be transferred to Providus Bank Limited in line with the merger agreement. All necessary steps to complete the process must be concluded within 10 days.
