Victor EzejaCOURT of Appeal, Abuja Division has reserved ruling on Lagos State application to be joined as a co-respondent in the appeal filed by Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over right of collection of Valued Added Tax (VAT).
FIRS filed an appeal against judgment by Justice Steven Pam of the Federal High Court, Port-Harcourt on August 9, 2021, which held that states could collect VAT.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA three-man panel, led by Justice Haruna Simon Tsanami, after listening to arguments by lawyers to the parties, said they would be informed when the ruling is ready.
Arguing Lagos’ application, the state’s Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) said his client was a necessary party in the matter, adding that the state would be affected by the outcome of the case.
Rivers State counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) who supported the motion by Onigbajo, urged the court to join Lagos in the suit.
Meanwhile, counsels to FIRS and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mahmud Magaji (SAN) and Tijani Gazali (SAN) countered the motion and prayed the court not to join Lagos.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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