• This is in a case where the accused persons are facing 40 counts of false returns and statements.
• The accused persons furnished various Tax Invoices to ZRA.
• Tax Invoices were purporting to show that they had supplied taxable goods to 34 Copperbelt companies.

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it has commenced trial proceedings in the Kitwe Magistrate Court against a registered taxpayer.
Authority Acting Corporate Communications Manager Oliver Nzala revealed in a statement that this is in a matter in which Kennedy Likomeno and Liko’s Industries and Logistics Company Limited are facing 40 counts of false returns and statements contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Mr. Nzala said the accused persons furnished various Tax Invoices to ZRA purporting to show that they had supplied taxable goods to 34 Copperbelt companies, and also made returns indicating that they imported assorted goods from different countries among them China and Belgium and were entitled to Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds of K27,276,104.26, when in fact not.
“This is in a case where the accused persons are facing 40 counts/charges of false returns and statements contrary to section 43, and evasion of tax contrary to section 44 of the Value Added Tax Act Chapter 331 of the Laws of Zambia,” Mr. Nzala stated.
He explained that by doing so, the accused persons evaded tax payment, thereby defrauding Government of the much needed revenue in the like sum.
“Trial commenced on 24th May 2022 and one Prosecution Witness Chilala Hakalima, a Senior Tax Inspector and Station Manager at Solwezi testified that the company Liko’s Industries and Logistics Limited has never filed any VAT returns since it was registered as a taxable supplier with Zambia Revenue Authority in February 2018.”
“He further told the Court that Input VAT worth K27,272,104.26 was claimed by 34 companies on using a TPIN belonging to Liko’s Industries and Logistics Company Limited and that this amount was not declared by Liko’s Industries and Logistics Company Limited as the company is a non-filer of VAT returns,” Mr. Nzala revealed.
Mr. Nzala further revealed that trial the case has been adjourned to 13th, 14th and 15th June, 2022 for continuation of trial.