The Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) officials have closed down Infinity Television belonged to preacher, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for owing the state government several millions.
The news emerges after the Tuesday’s protest by workers of the TV station over non payment of 10 months salaries and non-remittance of their Pay As You Earn, PAYE, tax to the suitable institutions.
While the company staff were protesting non-payment of salaries on Tuesday, executives of the LIRS stormed the grounds of the TV station, closed it down and put a notice on the entrance after locking it with padlock.
Some of the personnel who spoke with journalists but asked not to be named said they were ready to protest to Christ Embassy Church on Oregun Road at the Cross Over Night on 31 December, 2014 to ask for the payment of their salaries since the management of the company is planning to lay them off without paying the entitlements.
“Prior to this time, the staff had been receiving half salaries (for over a year) and by June 2014 salaries have not been paid to date. To worsen the case, the staff were barred from entering the office premises by the Chief Operating Officer, Mr Henry Kifordu.
“All efforts by the staff to meet with the management proved abortive. Staff taxes and pensions have been deducted for years and were never remitted to appropriate authorities. Infinity TV was finally locked up for tax evasion on 23 December, 2014,” the staff said.
The angry workers said they were left with no other choice than to take to the streets to struggle for their rights and have decided to storm Christ Embassy’s 31 December night global service to make their injustice known to Oyakhilome, whom, they considered, may not be aware of the happenings in the company.
Ailing Infinity TV is a Direct To Home, DTH cable TV owned by Pastor Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy and was incorporated in 2009.
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