Femi Falana, wey bi human rights lawyer, yarn say the value-added tax (VAT) increase wey the federal government wan propose dey violate the law if the national assembly no pass bill to that effect.
Femi Falana yarn dis tori after Zainab Ahmed, wey bi minister of finance, announce say the federal executive council (FEC) don approve increase in VAT from 5% to 7.5%.
She say the council dey working towards say e go take effect from 2020.
Make una read wetin im yarn
“It’s illegal, under a democratic dispensation you cannot impose a tax or increase tax without a law made by the National Assembly or the State Assembly as the case may be,”
“In this case, it has to be realised that we are not under a military dictatorship.
“By virtue of section 59 of the Nigerian Constitution, any increase, levy or tax will have to be presented to the National Assembly by way of money Bill by the President, it has to be passed into law.”
Falana said the national assembly erred by inviting the minister of finance to clarify the issue.
He urged the federal lawmakers to insist on passing a law before the proposed increase can be implemented.
“The Senate erred in law by inviting them to come and clarify, the National Assembly has invited the Minister of Finance and the Federal Inland Revenue Services to come and clarify,”
“No, the National Assembly must insist on its powers under Section 59 to pass a law to increase VAT or any tax, there can be no taxation without legislation.
“The Federal Executive Council has no power under the Constitution to increase VAT or any tax in the country.”
