LAGOS GOVT INSISTS ALL LEGITIMATE EARNERS MUST PAY TAX AMID TIKTOKER’S N36M BILL OUTCRY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Lagos State Government has maintained that the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) exercises the best judgment in tax-related matters, following public outcry by a popular TikTok influencer, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, over a N36 million tax bill allegedly issued to him.
Peller, a 20-year-old content creator, had in a viral livestream with singer Peruzzi, lamented the demand, describing it as excessive and unfair. He argued that he only rose to fame last year and questioned why the government would impose such a huge levy without offering him any form of support.
Reacting to the controversy, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tax and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, told journalists on Tuesday that while he would review the specifics of Peller’s case, the law requires all individuals earning legitimately in Lagos to remit taxes.
“Generally, the LIRS is an autonomous body saddled with the responsibility of assessing and giving the best judgment on behalf of the government. Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that anyone earning income legitimately must declare it honestly to the authorities,” Ogungbo stated.
On taxation for content creators and online earners, he explained that recent reforms now cover digital assets and virtual transactions, stressing that residence and infrastructure usage determine tax liability.
“If your income is earned virtually or online while residing in Lagos, you are bound to remit your tax here, unless you can prove you are already paying in another jurisdiction,” he added.
Ogungbo, however, clarified that he was yet to receive the details of Peller’s case, noting that the LIRS remains responsible for enforcement.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a response from the LIRS were unsuccessful, as the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Monsurat Amasa, did not reply to calls and messages sent by our correspondent as of press time.
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