Former Kogi senator, Senator Dino Melaye, don drag Federal Government go court say di new 2025 Tax Administration Act wey dem just sign into law no dey constitutional at all. Di senator tok say di law go bring wahala for Nigerians wey already dey suffer for economy wey no dey stable.
For di motion wey im file for court, Dino Melaye tok say di law no pass di right process wey Constitution talk before dem carry am sign. According to am, di law dey violate some parts of di 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, especially sections wey talk how tax matter suppose be and who get di power to collect or administer tax.
Dino say, “Dis Tax Administration Act go bring double wahala for Nigerians. Dem wan give too much power to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and make dem dey collect taxes wey originally na state and local government suppose dey handle. Na illegal extension of federal power be dis, and Nigerians no go gree.”Di senator wey don dey vocal about government matter, still talk say di law go make citizens pay plenty taxes wey no get head. He give example say person fit dey pay for consumption tax, digital service tax, income tax and still dey pay environmental levy — all on top di same salary wey no increase.
Melaye say him no dey against tax wey dey follow due process, but he no go keep quiet when dem wan take law break another law. “If we allow dis kind law stay, e go turn to instrument of oppression,” he tok.
Di case don enter Federal High Court for Abuja and dem don fix hearing date for early next year. Meanwhile, lawyers and civil society people don dey talk their own on top di matter. Some dey support Dino say true true di law heavy for ground and go make suffering increase. Others dey say maybe na political show since Dino self no dey government again.
One lawyer wey no gree make we write him name say, “Dino get point. If di law no pass through National Assembly like Constitution talk, then e fit be illegal. But make we wait make court talk di final word.”
Di 2025 Tax Administration Act wey dem sign recently give FIRS more control to track and collect tax, both offline and online. Dem also talk say e go help block leakages and boost revenue for government. But many Nigerians dey complain say di law go affect dem negatively, especially small businesses wey never recover from COVID and fuel subsidy removal.
For now, Nigerians dey look court to decide whether Dino Melaye dey right or whether government follow due process. But one thing clear – di wahala of too much tax don dey heavy for plenty people and dem dey pray say make justice prevail.
As we dey bring you tori wey concern our yard every Saturday, remember say Tori for Yard na your space too. If anything dey happen for your area wey you wan make the world hear, send am come ENN — together, we go make sure every voice counts.
