The Federal Inland Revenue Service has criticized the Federal Capital Territory Administration for sealing off one of its offices in Abuja, adding that the agency had no outstanding rent payments to the FCTA.

The agency condemned the action as “deliberate misconduct” and “highly unprofessional.”

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Aderonke Atoyebi, accused the FCTA of unfairly targeting the agency.

“It is highly unprofessional of the Wike-led FCTA to close our office, disrupting staff from performing their duties when we have done nothing wrong, especially during a crucial week as we prepare to sign the Tax Reform Bills. FCTA, you have erred gravely; FIRS owes you nothing,” Atoyebi stated.

She also accused the FCTA of attempting to use FIRS as a scapegoat, adding, “If you are looking for a fall guy, look elsewhere. We should not be your scapegoat when you know full well that the falsehoods you spread in the media and your malicious, illegal actions will harm our operations.”

Atoyebi asserted that the agency had no outstanding rent payments to the FCTA over the past 25 years, emphasizing that all dues were fully settled up to 2023.

“We have the evidence,” she emphasised, pushing back against claims of indebtedness.

According to her, the incident occurs at a critical moment for Nigeria’s tax system, as major reform legislation is nearing finalisation.

She warned that such disruptions could erode public confidence and hinder the implementation of key fiscal policies.

Analysts also caution that escalating tensions between federal agencies may impair service delivery and foster institutional instability.

It was earlier reported that the Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Monday, sealed the Federal Inland Revenue Service building.