Taking Stock - What's a working girl to do?
Nigerian revenue officials, Taking Stock can almost exclusively report, are taking a tough stance against tax evasion by the country's prostitutes.
Tax inspectors in the south-eastern city of Calabar recently carried out a daring raid on the city’s locations of alleged ill-repute. Over 100 women were rounded up as tax inspectors claimed that they had evaded tax payment in 1973/74. Clients were reported to have jumped out of windows as officials forced their way into rooms, and some reputed brothels bolted their doors. But the tax collectors remained upbeat. One Mr Umoren said: ‘The women might resist at first, but they will eventually pay up with pride.’ The question now facing Taking Stock is whether all prostitutes pay their taxes with pride. We shall of course be unstinting in our efforts to uncover the truth.