Breaking! Sanwo-Olu Signs VAT Bill Into Law As Lagos Joins Rivers In FIRS Appeal Suit

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed the state Value Added Tax (VAT) Bill into law.

The House of Assembly had sent a copy of the bill for assent by the governor after passing the bill, Thursday.

The Governor signed the bill after returning from an official trip to Abuja.

The New Diplomat had earlier reported that the Lagos State Government on Friday applied to the Court of Appeal, Abuja, seeking to be a co-respondent in the appeal application filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on the Value-Added Tax (VAT).

The application which was filed by Lagos Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), is seeking the approval of the Court to join Rivers State in challenging for the exclusive powers on the collection of VAT tax.

The New Diplomat had also reported that a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Abuja granted an order, restraining FIRS from collecting VAT in Rivers state because only the Rivers State Government has the exclusive powers to collect VAT within its territory.

Subsequently, the FIRS filed an application at the Appeal Court seeking the dismissal of the ruling of the High Court.

During a court hearing on Friday, the Lagos state applied to be joined as a party in the appeal.

This is coming few hours after the Lagos State House of Assembly had passed the VAT bill.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, in his address described the passage of the bill as a good development that would lead to an increase in Lagos revenue for more infrastructural development.

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