The Lagos State Government has responded to the viral claims by popular TikTok creator, Habeeb Hamzat, better known as Peller, who alleged that the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) slammed him with a ₦36 million tax bill.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tax and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, clarified that the LIRS is an independent agency mandated to assess and enforce tax compliance on behalf of the state.
Peller’s Viral Outburst
The 20-year-old TikTok star, who rose to fame in 2024, had voiced his frustration during a livestream session with singer Peruzzi, claiming the government demanded ₦36 million from him as personal income tax.
“The task force said I should pay ₦36m in tax. I swear to Almighty Allah, I don’t have anything. I only came into the limelight last year. Why should I pay ₦36m? Why will the government take money from me when it has never given me anything, not even TikTok support?” Peller lamented.
Government’s Position
In his reaction, Ogungbo emphasized that taxation is a constitutional obligation for anyone earning income in Lagos, whether physically or virtually.
“Anybody who earns legitimately is required by Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution to declare their income honestly and pay tax. So while the context of the size and quantum of this particular case needs to be properly investigated, the principle remains that anyone earning must remit taxes,” Ogungbo stated.
He further explained that recent tax reforms cover digital creators, influencers, and online entrepreneurs, stressing that location does not exempt earners from their civic duty.
“Irrespective of whether you earn physically or virtually, once you reside in Lagos and benefit from the state’s infrastructure, you are expected to pay tax here, unless you can prove you are paying to another jurisdiction. But if your income is generated online while you live in Lagos, you are bound to remit your tax here,” he added.
On Peller’s specific case, Ogungbo said he had yet to receive full details from the LIRS but assured that he would investigate and provide further clarification.
“I do not have this particular case on my table. We have a body (the LIRS) that is autonomous and efficient in what they do. Let me investigate and revert to you,” he explained.
Silence from LIRS
Meanwhile, efforts to reach the LIRS spokesperson, Monsurat Amasa, for an official response proved unsuccessful as calls and messages on Monday and Tuesday went unanswered.
