Peller must pay his tax – Lagos Govt insists

 

The Lagos State Government has said popular TikTok creator Habeeb Hamzat, also known as Peller, along with others, must pay taxes

This follows Peller’s public complaint over a N36 million tax bill he received from the government.

Abdulkabir Ogungbo, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tax and Revenue, stated on Tuesday that the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) is an independent body responsible for assessing and issuing tax notices on behalf of the government.Peller, a 20-year-old influencer who rose to fame in 2024, had expressed his frustration during a livestream with singer Peruzzi, questioning why he was being asked to pay such a large sum.

“The task force said I should pay N36m in tax. I swear to Almighty Allah, I don’t have anything. I only came into the limelight last year. Why should I pay N36m? Why will the government take money from me when it has never given me anything, not even TikTok support?” he said.

Ogungbo responded that while Peller’s case would be reviewed, paying taxes remains a civic responsibility for anyone earning income in Lagos State.

“Anybody who earns legitimately is required by Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution to declare income honestly and pay tax. While the details of this particular case need careful investigation, the principle is clear: anyone earning income must pay taxes,” he said.

On taxation for digital creators, Ogungbo noted that recent reforms now cover virtual transactions and digital assets.

“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 in another jurisdiction,” he added.

He also emphasized that the LIRS operates independently and efficiently but promised to engage the agency on Peller’s case before providing further clarification.

Meanwhile, the LIRS has not officially responded to Peller’s criticisms. Attempts to reach the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Monsurat Amasa, on Monday and Tuesday went unanswered.