The Valued Added Tax war between Rivers State and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has taken a new dimension as some states of the federation are prepared to join the legal battle to upstage Rivers and Lagos states, the main opponents to the FIRS.
Indications emerged on Sunday that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the governments of Adamawa, Plateau and Kaduna States are set to join FIRS in its appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt that empowered Rivers state to collect VAT.
The high court had, in the judgment, ruled against the FIRS in the tax collection tussle and ordered that the Rivers State government was the rightful collector of the tax among others.
Lagos was days back permitted by the Appeal Court to be made a joinder as a respondent in the appeal by the FIRS.
The FIRS is challenging the judgment at the Court of Appeal seeking to upturn the Port Harcourt judgment.
However, dependable sources close to the AGF and governors of the three states on Sunday in Abuja hinted that the three states, including AGF would file for a leave of the court to be joined in the suit on Tuesday as appellants.
Although the AGF is already a defendant in the appeal, the source hinted that the Federal Ministry of Justice under the AGF had opted to be part of the appellant in the matter so as to enable it argue effectively in support of the FIRS.
“They are going to seek to be joined in the suit as co-appellants against the federal high court’s judgment that favoured Rivers State.
“These states understand the possible consequences if the final judgment at the Supreme Court goes against the FIRS.They are going to take the fight as if it is theirs,” the source stated.
“In fact, their motion papers would be ready by October 4 and will be filed on Tuesday October 5. I can confirm that one to you, the source said.
The source also added that more states especially Kogi and Zamfara were going to be joining the suit to form a coalition with the FIRS.
Media Assistant to AGF, Jibrilla Gwandu, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
