The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday sealed the headquarters of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) around 1 pm, leading to the emergency evacuation of staff under the rain.

The action was enforced by police officers brought by FIRS, who kept guard as AEDC employees vacated the premises.

The move was in reaction to AEDC’s recent publication of a list of government agencies owing electricity bills.

While the list published last month did not include FIRS, a previous list from January listed FIRS as a debtor with an outstanding bill of ₦362,387,502.

When contacted by Daily Trust for details on the tax violations that led to the closure, Zach Adedeji, the Special Adviser on Media to the Chairman of FIRS, suggested that the reporter seek information directly from AEDC.

He stated, “Don’t allow them to use you. Before FIRS will carry out an enforcement, it would have issued the company a notice on the tax law they violated. Let them tell you what they did. They should have a spokesperson, so contact the person.”

However, AEDC spokesperson Adefisayo Akinsanya did not provide a comment when reached, stating she was in a meeting and requesting a text message, which she did not respond to.

An AEDC staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the closure was due to unpaid taxes.

The employee mentioned that AEDC had previously communicated with FIRS about deducting the tax from the bill it owed.

“We were surprised by their action because a meeting was held between the two organizations a few weeks back to fashion how the matter can be settled amicably.

“I believe it is a show of strength. The office will be opened for us. They just want to make a statement to us through force,” the staff member said.