Amid the tussle between the Rivers State Government and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over Value Added Tax (VAT) collection, the Nigerian government says FIRS is currently favoured by the law.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami made the declaration in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York.
The AGF stated that the ruling of the Court of Appeal directing Rivers and the FIRS to maintain the status quo favoured FIRS.
“As at the time the parties approached the court, it was the Federal Inland Revenue Service that was collecting the value added tax.
“The federal government has succeeded in obtaining an order that establishes the sustenance of the status quo, which is that the Federal Inland Revenue Service should continue collection.
“This is pending the determination of the cases that were instituted by states, particularly the Rivers State Government and the Lagos State government. The cases are being determined by the court.”
The Rivers government wants the the Supreme Court to set aside the Court of Appeal’s September 10 ruling ordering it and FIRS to maintain status quo.
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani, issued the order.
