The Federal Inland Revenue Service has emphasized the crucial role of the judiciary in sustaining a robust tax system in Nigeria.
The agency stated that the integrity and cooperation of the judiciary are essential for ensuring compliance and enhancing public confidence in the tax framework.
This was disclosed by the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, 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, according to The Punch.
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 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 stay committed to delivering fair and accountable judgments.
Speaking to pressman after the opening ceremony, Abubakar reiterated that the FIRS aims to meet its target of N19.4 trillion this year.
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.”
“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,” he added.
In her remarks, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, urged national institutions bringing cases to the courts to recognize that successful adjudication often depends on the thoroughness of the presentations made before the court.
She noted that the conference is essential for building capacity and deepening understanding of sector-specific issues, such as 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 emphasized the importance of ongoing judicial education on specialized matters such as taxation.
She tasked judges to maintain consistency in their rulings to promote transparency, reinforcing the importance of fairness in the judicial system.
