Umuahia, Abia State, February 12, 2026 – The Abia State Government has sealed the operational offices of telecommunications giant Globacom Limited in Umuahia and Aba following the company’s failure to remit over ₦4 billion in outstanding tax liabilities.
The enforcement action was executed on Thursday by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS), acting under a valid court order issued by the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division. The sealing marks the latest and most decisive step in a prolonged legal dispute between the state and the telecom operator.
In a statement, the Deputy Director of Information for ABIRS, Mrs. Emelle Akunna Loveth, confirmed that the operation was carried out in strict compliance with a court ruling delivered on January 14, 2026, in Suit No. HU/225M/2025. The court had directed Globacom to pay a total sum of ₦4,048,748,880, representing unremitted Right of Way (RoW) withholding taxes and other statutory levies accrued over a 12-year period from 2010 to 2022.
In addition to the principal debt, the court ordered Globacom to pay 10 percent annual interest on the outstanding amount, calculated from the original due dates of the taxes and continuing until full liquidation of the liability.
Mrs. Loveth explained that the Abia State Tax (Codification and Consolidation) Law, 2020, empowers ABIRS to distrain not only premises but also goods, chattels, and other assets belonging to defaulting taxpayers. The court order specifically authorized the seizure of Globacom’s offices and related properties within the state to recover the debt.
“The sealing of the offices was a lawful measure strictly in compliance with the court order,” she stated. “The state government is prepared to follow the law to its logical conclusion.”
The statement further warned that if the debt remains unpaid after 14 days from the date of sealing, ABIRS reserves the right to proceed with the sale of the distrained properties to satisfy the ₦4 billion liability.
While emphasizing the firmness of the enforcement, the Abia State Government reiterated its openness to dialogue—but only after Globacom demonstrates full compliance with the court’s directives. Mrs. Loveth stressed that Governor Alex Otti’s administration remains deeply committed to the rule of law, fiscal responsibility, and ensuring that all corporate entities operating in the state fulfill their statutory obligations.
“This action is not targeted at any particular company but is part of a broader effort to enforce tax compliance, protect state revenue, and ensure fairness for all taxpayers,” she added.
The sealing of Globacom’s offices in the state capital (Umuahia) and the commercial hub (Aba) has drawn significant attention, as the company is one of Nigeria’s major telecom providers with extensive infrastructure and customer base in Abia. The development underscores the Otti administration’s aggressive push to boost internally generated revenue (IGR) and recover long-standing tax arrears since assuming office.
ABIRS has previously pursued similar enforcement actions against other defaulting firms and individuals, aligning with Governor Otti’s agenda of fiscal discipline, transparency, and sustainable funding for development projects in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The agency appealed to corporate organizations and residents to prioritize timely tax remittance and voluntary compliance to avoid legal and operational disruptions. It also assured the public that the state government would continue to pursue all legitimate means to safeguard Abia’s revenue and promote equitable contribution from all economic actors.
As the 14-day window begins, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether Globacom will negotiate a settlement, appeal the judgment, or take other steps to resolve the matter and regain access to its sealed premises.
The case highlights the growing assertiveness of state governments in Nigeria in enforcing tax laws, particularly following constitutional amendments and court rulings that strengthen sub-national revenue powers.
