The Federal Inland Revenue Service has stressed the vital role of the judiciary in maintaining a robust tax system.
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It said the integrity and cooperation of the judiciary are essential in Nigeria’s tax system.
The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, represented by Muhammad Abubakar, the Coordinating Director of Services Support Group, stated that “for our tax system to be effective, it requires the unwavering support and integrity of our judiciary.”
He said this at the opening ceremony of the High Impact Interactive Conference with Justices and Judges, organised by the Federal Inland Revenue Service in partnership with National Judicial Institute in Abuja on Monday.
He said that the judiciary “serves as the guardian of justice and fairness in our society. Your role in interpreting tax laws, adjudicating disputes, and ensuring compliance is critical in fostering a climate of trust in our tax system.
“By upholding the rule of law and delivering fair judgments, you reinforce the confidence of the citizens and businesses alike, encouraging them to fulfill their tax obligations.”
He urged the judiciary to remain committed to delivering fair and accountable judgments.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the opening ceremony, Abubakar also reiterated that this year, the FIRS would meet its target of N19.4tn.
He said, “We expect that by the year 2025, government might decide to maybe increase the target a bit. So, we have to get prepared.”
He added, “The conference is one of such areas that we look out in getting ourselves prepared for next year where so many things will come on board, including the new laws that are expected to be enforced from January 2025.”
In her speech, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, urged all national institutions bringing cases to the courts to note that adjudication is often dependent on the thoroughness of the institution presenting cases before the court.
She noted that while this conference is crucial for building crucial capacity and deepening our understanding of sector-specific issues like taxation, “it does not replace the duty of the relevant agencies to diligently perform their responsibilities and, where necessary, make adjustments to their processes.”
She lamented that “Nigeria benefits from international structures, Yet, despite these advantages, there remain significant gaps between global tax strategies and Nigeria’s domestic tax framework, particularly in the context of the digital economy. Thus, this conference aims to explore ways to bridge those gaps while preventing the integrity of Nigeria’s domestic tax system.”
The CJN also highlighted the need for continuous judicial education on specialised matters like taxation.
She urged judges to maintain consistency in their rulings to promote transparency, reinforcing the importance of fairness within the system.
Also, the CJN noted that the collaboration between the judiciary and tax administrators demonstrates a shared commitment to national progress.
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