Court Orders Sealing of Globacom Offices over N4bn Tax Dispute
By Godwin Anyebe
The Aba and Umuahia offices of Globacom Ltd, operator of Glo Mobile, have been sealed by the Abia State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) over alleged tax liabilities exceeding N4 billion.
The enforcement action followed an order of the Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia, presided over by Hon. Justice Chido Nwakanma, in Suit No. HU/225M/2025 filed by BIRS against the telecommunications firm.
The order, dated January 14, 2026, directed Globacom to pay N4,048,748,880, representing Right of Way Withholding Taxes and other outstanding levies allegedly owed to the Abia State Government between 2010 and 2022. The court further imposed 10 per cent annual interest on the sum from the date the taxes became due until final settlement.
In addition to the sealing of the premises, the court authorised distraint proceedings, permitting the seizure of goods, chattels and properties belonging to the company within Abia State. It also empowered authorities to sell such assets after 14 days to recover the outstanding liabilities if payment is not made.
Deputy Director of Information at BIRS, Mrs Emelle Akunna Loveth, disclosed that more than 3,000 corporate tax defaulters have had their offices sealed this year as part of intensified enforcement efforts.
She described the action against Globacom as a lawful step executed in strict compliance with the court order, stressing that the Abia State Government remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring corporate entities fulfil their statutory tax obligations.
Mrs Loveth added that the revenue agency remains open to engagement with the company upon full compliance with the court’s directives.
As of the time of filing this report, the affected offices remained sealed. However, Globacom has filed an appeal seeking to vacate the sealing order.
