KUNLE OLUTAYO
The United States government has seized assets owned by Dumebi Kachikwu, who is the owner of Nigeria-based Roots TV, reports say.
Reports revealed that the seizure was for a $2.1 million tax evasion levelled against Kachikwu, who is also the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), for Nigeria’s general elections scheduled for next year.
Kachikwu, earlier this month, clinched ADC’s presidential ticket by defeating former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, at the party’s primary.
According to documents, which include case number 8:21-cv-01546-GJH filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against Mr Kachikwu and his now ex-wife, Somachi, approved the seizure of the assets in a default judgement as the defendants did not respond to the summons and complaints served to their Maryland home in June 2021.
The Nigerian politician was said to have evaded payment of tax while he worked in America from 2009 to 2011. Tax evasion is an offence punishable by law in the United States.
According to reports, as of March 2, 2022, the accrual of the interests and statutory additions on Kachikwu’s unpaid federal income tax liabilities had reached $2,082,500.
In line with U.S law, the tax liabilities will continue to accrue until they are fully paid by Kachikwu, and his ex-wife Somachi, who is the daughter of Nigeria’s former Aviation Minister, Kema Chikwe, and sister to popular rapper, Naeto C.
