The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has been urged to stop Federal Government’s planned implementation of the new tax laws, effective form January 2026.
The request forms a relief being sought in a suit filed by a group, the Incorporated Trustees of African Initiative for Abuse Public Trust (AIAPT).
The group argued among others that in view of the controversy surrounding the laws, including allegations of alterations, it was proper for the court to stop the planned implementation until the issues are resolved.
Listed as defendants in the suit are: the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.
Already, the court has granted the plaintiff’s request to be allowed to serve some of the defendants documents relating to the suit through substituted means.
Justice Bello Kawu, who is sitting as a vacation judge, issued the order while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the plaintiff, which was moved by its lawyer, Nnamdi Mba.
Justice Kawu ordered that court documents meant for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the President be served on them through the office of the AGF.
The judge also ordered that court documents meant for the Senate President, the House of Reps Speaker and the N/Assembly should be served on them through the Clerk of the N/Assembly.
He said such substituted service shall be deemed proper served.
Justice Kawu however, declined to grant some injunctive reliefs sought by the plaintiff, but ordered it to put the defendants on notice.
The plaintiff had, in the motion, marked: M/17240/2025 prayed for an order of interim injunction restraining the Federal Government, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the National Assembly, or any of its agencies from implementing any of the provisions of the gazetted Nigeria Tax Act (2025), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (2025) or the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act (2025) for any reasons pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
It had equally sought for an order of interim injunction restraining the President, either by himself or through any agency of the Federal Government created under the gazette Nigeria Tax Act (2025), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (2025) or the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025) from implementing the provisions of the Acts in any states of the federation where applicable, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Further proceedings in the case has been adjourned till December 31.
