The Lagos State government has revealed that it will begin the prosecution of tax offenders soon. At a joint briefing held by state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Ade Ipaye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation, Mr. Abimbola Shodipo and the state Executive Chairman Inland Revenue service, Mr. Tunde Fowler, it was revealed that of the estimated eight million residents in Lagos, statistics shows that only three million pay their taxes. In line with this, the state Commissioner for Justice, revealed that machinery has been put in motion to ensure criminal prosecution of these tax offenders in the state. He further revealed that some of the tax evaders are being investigated and criminal  charges will soon be instituted against them while some have been invited to answer for their outstanding tax liability. Ipaye who revealed that the number of tax payers have increased from 252,000 Lagosians in 1999 to three million as at 2012 further lamented that most of the tax offenders are professionals who have the means to pay their taxes but failed to do so because they feel they have no need of government. According to the state government, about 254 companies were owing the state a tax liability of about five billion Naira as at 2010.