VAT Dispute: Appeal Court Reserves Ruling On Lagos Govt’s Application For Joinder - Liberty TV/Radio - News - Voice For All! Vision For Alll!
Publisher (J.T)
September 17, 2021
When the court resumed sitting on Thursday, the Attorney General of Lagos State and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Moyesore Onigbanjo, began the day’s hearing by taking his application for joinder in the suit.
He informed the panel of judges led by Justice Haruna Tsammani that Lagos was entitled to collect VAT, stressing that the VAT Act was approved by an order of the court, although it has been annulled.
According to the senior lawyer, the states that are recognised by the Constitution to collect VAT and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) recognises that fact.
He added that the principles for joinder of a party, seeking to be joined, must be a necessary party and show that its interest, legally and financially, will be affected.
Onigbanjo stated that going by the submissions of the FIRS, Lagos State has already enacted the VAT law and it would lead to another action if they were not allowed to be joined in the suit.
He, therefore, urged the court to uphold the application for joinder, arguing that the case of joinder sought to prevent multiplicity of action.