ICPC warns against using forged tax certificates for contracts

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has warned members of the business community and private citizens against using forged or fake Tax Clearance Certificate and Audit Reports to apply for contracts.

The ICPC, in a statement in Abuja, reiterated its commitment to bring to book public officials who abuse their offices in accordance with the provisions of the ICPC Act 2000.

Already, ICPC has commenced investigation into the procurement of tax clearance certificates and audit reports by several companies to ensure that those bidding for contracts are not tax evaders.

Subsequently, ICPC is prosecuting tax-related cases in courts, especially those cutting corners to win contracts.

Section 25 sub-section (1) (a) empowers ICPC to investigate and prosecute anybody be it corporate or individual for making statement which is false or intended to mislead a public officials in course of discharging their duties.

The section prescribed two years imprisonment for making false statement, which is “intended to mislead or its untrue in any material particular” to public officials.

Consequently, Tax Assessors, Corporate and private citizens have been advised to be wary of procuring and presenting forged or corruptly-assessed Tax Clearance Certificates and Audit Reports in order not to run foul of the provisions of the ICPC Act.