The Lagos State Government has reacted to claims by popular TikTok content creator, Habeeb Hamzat, also known as Peller, who alleged that he was slammed with a N36 million tax bill by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).
Peller, who gained online prominence last year, had in a viral livestream with singer Peruzzi lamented that the state government was demanding N36m from him in personal income tax.
The 20-year-old influencer argued that he had never received any form of support from the government and questioned the rationale behind what he described as an “excessive tax demand.”Reacting on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tax and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, said he was yet to review the details of Peller’s case but maintained that anyone earning an income legitimately in
Lagos State is constitutionally obliged to pay tax. He noted that the LIRS, being an autonomous body, makes professional judgments on taxation on behalf of the government.
“Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that when you earn your living legitimately, you must declare your income and remit tax to the appropriate authority. The LIRS has the responsibility of making the best judgment in such cases.
While I have not reviewed the details of this particular matter, I will investigate and provide clarity later,” Ogungbo explained. He further stated that new tax reforms now cover digital assets and virtual transactions, meaning that content creators and online entrepreneurs are not exempt from tax obligations.
According to him, residency also determines liability, as individuals who live in Lagos and benefit from state infrastructure are expected to contribute to its revenue base through tax payment.
As of press time, the LIRS has yet to issue an official response to Peller’s criticism. Attempts to reach the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Monsurat Amasa, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent on Monday and Tuesday were not responded to.
