NEW YORK – New York City says the government of Nigeria owes it millions of dollars in unpaid taxes on the Manhattan building that houses the Nigerian Consulate.

According to a city lawsuit filed late Monday in federal court, Nigeria owes $4.1 million to $16 million in real estate taxes and interest.

Diplomatic offices are tax exempt. But New York City says parts of Nigeria's 22-story building near the United Nations have been used for commercial purposes, including for Nigeria Airways offices. Those uses are taxable.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Tuesday that the city will go after every dollar that is owed to taxpayers.

Consular officials did not immediately respond to a phone call and an e-mail seeking comment.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100112/ap_on_bi_ge/us_nigeria_unpaid_taxes




Na wa for this country.With all the Oil money and buildings in Abuja. I wonder how many other countries we are oweing taxes on and then we are forced to pay taxes.

Dead beat country, please pay up! Don't turn our country into your 5th world pi.s.s-hole!we depend on our taxes here! And no, u can't bribe the IRS, st.u.p.-id!!!

they're flexing muscles because of ordinary ultimatum?

How much is $4-16 million? No biggie-  many of these Nigerian bigwigs can pay that at the drop of a hat. The country should auction off their properties abroad and use it to pay the debt.