IJEBU IGBO, OGUN STATE – The Ogun State Government has taken decisive action against a prominent event centre in Ijebu Igbo, sealing the popular Buruji Kashamu Omo Ilu Hall over an alleged failure to settle a significant tax liability.
According to exclusive information obtained by our newsroom, the sealed facility owes the state government the sum of Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N7,500,000) in outstanding land use charges. A senior official at the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS), who spoke on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorisation, confirmed the figure.
The enforcement action, which took place on Wednesday, was not an abrupt move. Our investigation reveals that the management of the hall was served a formal demand letter from the OGIRS over two months ago, granting them a grace period to clear the debt or enter into a payment arrangement.
“The management was given ample opportunity to comply,” the OGIRS official stated. “The initial letter was followed by several reminders and warnings. Their refusal to heed these instructions left the government with no other option but to enforce the law. This is a matter of principle and a clear signal that no individual or entity is above their civic fiscal responsibilities.”
The Omo Ilu Hall, named after the late political figure Buruji Kashamu, is a major social and event hub in Ijebu Igbo, frequently hosting weddings, conferences, and political gatherings. Its sudden closure has sent ripples through the community, leaving numerous event planners scrambling for alternative venues.
Attempts to reach the management of the hall for comment were unsuccessful. A security guard stationed outside the locked gates confirmed the sealing but declined to provide further details.
This move by the Ogun State Government is seen as part of a broader, intensified drive to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). In recent months, the state has tightened enforcement mechanisms against tax defaulters, targeting both corporate entities and high-net-worth individuals with undeclared or underpaid liabilities.
As of the time of this report, the hall remains under lock and key. It is understood that the facility will only be reopened upon the full payment of the outstanding N7.5 million debt or the reaching of a formal and acceptable settlement agreement with the state revenue authority.
