VAT In Nigeria: Lagos Lawmaker Says Sanwo-Olu Will Implement Law

• Lawmaker representing Badagry II Constituency in Lagos House of Assembly, expressed optimism that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the state, would implement the bill that will empower him to collect Value Added Tax (VAT) instead of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

As Value Added Tax (VAT) in Nigeria controversy continue nationwide, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State will ensure the enforcement of the recent bill he signed into law. This is according to Setonji David, a member of the state’s House of Assembly.

VAT in Nigeria is a consumption tax paid when goods are purchased and services are rendered. It is charged at a rate of 7.5 per cent.

Following Rivers State which signed its VAT bill into law last month, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, last Friday, signed the State VAT Bill into law a day after it was passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

READ ALSO: Ondo Lawmaker Commends Sanwo-Olu, Wike Over VAT Controversy

On the same day, Lagos asked to be joined as a respondent alongside Rivers State in the appeal filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt which ruled that Rivers should commence VAT collection.

Justice Haruna Tsammani of the Appeal Court had adjourned to September 16 to hear the application by Lagos and asked all parties to “maintain status quo”.

But speaking on the matter, the lawmaker, who represents Badagry II Constituency in the House, stated that the court ruling would not stop Sanwo-Olu from implementing it.

David made this known when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ breakfast programme.

The lawmaker’s words: “The status quo is that we have enacted the law in Lagos and the law is in existent and I believe strongly that until another judgement is passed by the Court of Appeal to the extent that what we have done is wrong, the law subsists.

By our own understanding, what subsists in Lagos is our own law, until that law is set aside by the Court of Appeal. So, as far as Lagos is concerned, VAT in Lagos will be collected by the Lagos State Government.”

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Appeal Court Sits To Determine Lagos’ Fate On VAT Collection