• Registered taxpayer has been found with a case to answer on 40 counts of false tax returns, statements and tax evasion.
• Liko’s Industries and Logistics Company Limited, Director Kennedy Likomeno is accused of providing various false Tax Invoices to ZRA.
• The matter has been adjourned to 14th October 2022 for judgment as the accused remained silence with no witnesses.
Kitwe Magistrate Court has found a registered taxpayer with a case to answer on 40 counts of false tax returns, statements and tax evasion, defrauding Government of revenue amounting to over K27 million.
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Acting Corporate Communications Manager Oliver Nzala told Money FM News that Liko’s Industries and Logistics Company Limited, Director Kennedy Likomeno is accused of providing various Tax Invoices to ZRA purporting to show that the company had supplied taxable goods to 34 Copperbelt companies when in fact not.
“The offences are contrary to section 43 and 44 of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act Chapter 331 of the laws of Zambia, “Mr. Nzala said.
Mr. Nzala explained that the accused also made returns to show that the company imported assorted goods from China, Belgium and Hong Kong and was entitled to Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds of over K27 million when in fact not.
“The accused person made returns to show that the Company imported assorted goods from China, Belgium and Hong Kong and was entitled to Value Added Tax refunds of over K27 million when in fact not. By so doing they evaded paying tax thereby defrauding the Government of the Republic of Zambia of revenue amounting to K27, 276,104.26,” he stated.
He added that when the case was brought before Principal Resident Magistrate Pumulo Mubita on 19th September 2022, the court found the accused with a case to answer on all the 40 counts charged and put them on defense.
“Registered VAT taxpayers are notified that falsified return declarations is a criminal offence and shall not be tolerated, “Mr. Nzala warned.
According to Mr. Nzala, the matter has since been adjourned to 14th October 2022 for judgment as the accused remained silent with no witnesses.
