However much or little legislation there is, some will try to break it

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Having noted the supposed burdens of tax legislation in the previous post, I then found a story on AllAfrica.com. It reported yesterday that:

Akwa Ibom State government has instituted legal action against Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and five of its executive directors over tax evasion.

Joined in the suit No. REU/2959/2006 were Mr Cyril Odu, Mr Udom Inoyo, Mr Isaac Komolafe, Mr Etta Amba and Mr Patrick Effiong, all Executive Directors of the oil major.

In the suit filed before a revenue court in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, and presided over by Magistrate Benet Ilalumo, Mobil was accused of withholding from the state government income tax from 1998 to 2003.

Of course, as yet the defendants have not been found guilty. But the case suggests that whatever level of legislation you have, some might seek to ignore it.

Put another way, it's not the rules that matter, it's the attitude of those who are required to apply them that makes the difference. Whilst the culture of tax avoidance remains and is promoted by PWC and others we will have a problem.


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