A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, has stated that since the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was ab-initio acting in error by collecting Value Added Tax (VAT) in Rivers State, and has huge burden of refund of those monies, there was need not to allow it incur further liability.
The court has also dismissed an application by FIRS, seeking to stop the Rivers State Government from collecting VAT in the state.
The FIRS, in suit no FHC/PH/CS/149/2020, had through a motion on notice, applied for a stay of execution on the earlier judgement of the court presided over by Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam, which declared that it was the constitutional role of state governments to collect VAT, and not FIRS.
Justice Pam, in his ruling on FIRS application for a stay of execution, last Monday, said the granting the application would negate the principle of equity.
He noted that the Rivers State Government, through the state House of Assembly, has duly enacted Rivers State Value Added Tax No. 4, 2021, which makes it legitimate right of the state to collect VAT.
According to the judge, every court in the country was constitutionally mandated to obey every legislation enacted by both the National and State Assemblies, respectively.
He explained that the Rivers State Government law on VAT remains valid until it has been set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The judge declared that the FIRS application was refused and dismissed in the light of the fact that all subsisting laws concerning the collection of VAT stand in favour of the Rivers State Government.
Earlier, Justice Pam, who presided over the court, read a letter that FIRS lawyers had served the court seeking for stay of any ruling on their application.
But, in the absence of any requisite document that ought to have been attached to the letter, the judge dismissed the letter.
Speaking on the implication of the ruling, the counsel for Rivers State Government, Mark Agwu, said the Rivers State Government was still entitled to collect VAT within the state.
He said, “Today, the court has delivered its ruling dismissing the said application for stay of execution, though without cost. In fact, the court’s reason is that if it should grant stay, it is more or less like over- ruling itself.
“And then, since the court is empowered to recognize all laws enacted by the National Assembly or the state Houses of Assembly, therefore, that law (Rivers) stands, it is a substantive law.
“Therefore, the issue of collection of VAT as it stands today, Rivers State Government is still entitled to so collect. That is where we are today”, he argued.
In his reaction, Rivers State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Isaac Kamalu said the decision by the Lordship has confirmed the position, both constitutionally and legally, that Rivers State Government has the authority to collect VAT.
“Well, first, we need to thank God. Second, we need to thank the judge for the courage. If you recall, the court had already declared that it is the Rivers State Government that has the constitutional responsibility for the collection of VAT.
“Following that decision of the High Court, which is binding on all parties and institutions, the Rivers State Government and the state Legislature has the Value Added Tax Law of Rivers State No. 4 of 2021 in force too.”
“I think the decision by the Lordship this morning is to confirm the position, both constitutionally and legally that the state has the authority to collect VAT.”
In his reaction, lead counsel to the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Reuben Wanogho, said the court has delivered its ruling on the basis of how it saw the facts of the case before it.
According to him, they do not agree with the ruling, and already resolved to take all necessary steps to challenge it.