Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is blaming the Supreme Court for the delay in resolving the legal dispute over the Value Added Tax (VAT) between the state and the Federal Government.

Wike, speaking yesterday during the presentation of a book entitled: Contemporary Essays on Law & Practice in honour of retired Justice Anwuri Ichegbu Chikere of the Federal High Court, labeled the action of the apex court lethargic.

Wike also aimed a diatribe at the National Judicial Council (NJC) for allegedly becoming a willing tool to intimidate judges.


“While the entire country is waiting for its speedy resolution in the national interest, the Supreme Court of Nigeria remains lethargic in hearing this very important matter, thereby unjustifiably aiding the Federal Government to continue to enforce its illegal and oppressive VAT policy on the polity,” Wike said.

The governor said judicial independence suffered greatly when judges were subjected to summary trials and preconceived indictments by the NJC on the promptings of persons or parties with vested interest in the outcome of the litigation processes.

His words: “By doing so, the National Judicial Council (NJC) may be joining the league of unholy forces now assailing the independence and reputation of judicial officers across the country.

“My candid opinion is that the National Judicial Council must tread with utmost caution in matters of judicial complaints and discipline lest it wittingly or unwittingly turns itself into another bully to be feared rather than being respected in its roles as both the headmaster and guardian angel of the nation’s judiciary,” he said.


The governor said no nation could be seen and reckoned with to be free, fair and just without a strong, independent and functional judiciary.

He also observed that no democracy could survive, flourish and deliver social and economic progress without a courageous, efficient and effective judiciary.

Wike, himself a lawyer, asked judicial officers to remember the time when the nation’s judiciary was truly independent, manned by men and women of courage, who were publicly trusted to deliver justice fairly and equally to everyone.

He said: “There was also a time when our judges were respected the world over for their independence, courage and credibility.

“Again, time was that decisions from Nigerian courts were widely accepted and celebrated across the world as timeless models of judicial precedents.

“But today, what is your candid assessment of the character and integrity of our country’s judiciary, which is becoming more confusing and painfully contradictory?”

Wike listed factors eroding confidence in the judiciary as case backlogs, poor case management and rampant delays in the administration of justice.

He said: “There are also serious concerns about the apparent lack of courage among several judges and the declining quality of judgments from our courts at all levels.

“Having succumbed to fear, intimidation and blackmail, most of our judges are being compelled to tailor their judgments towards the wishes and desires of powerful political interests.”

Wike, however, commended the few judicial officers who he said have kept hope alive with their extraordinary courage.

He spoke highly of what he called the years of meritorious judicial service of Justice Chikere, saying as a judge, he demonstrated absolute independence of mind.

He also noted that Justice Chikere exhibited excellent judicial temperament of being calm always, courteous and compassionate towards everyone, including her colleagues, lawyers and litigants in or outside the office.

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State had, in a landmark judgment last year, held that it was unconstitutional for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to collect VAT and personal income tax in Rivers State.

Following the judgment, the Rivers and Lagos State Governments introduced separate laws conferring on them the right to collect VAT.

But the Court of Appeal headed by Haruna Tsammani on September 10 last year issued orders that all parties should maintain the status quo.

Dissatisfied by the action, the Rivers State Government approached the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Appeal Court.

In his remarks at yesterday’s book presentation, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, represented by Justice Binta Nyanko, noted that Justice Chikere served the judiciary meritoriously from the bench for 19 years with her health and integrity intact.

Tsoho said keeping pace with a long judicial career in Nigeria was no mean task and Justice Chikere weathered the adversities and challenges successfully.

He said: “As we gather to celebrate this outstanding judicial officer for her years of impressive service to the nation, the occasion evidently climaxes the fame attribute that excellence and selfless service are virtues worthy of emulation.

“Hon. Justice Chikere is notably calm and collected and is much like a mother to many colleagues.

“As a Christian, she is fervently adherent to the tenets of Christ, especially love for humanity. He has been remarkably humble, peaceful, friendly, humane, honest, generous, incorruptible and hardworking.”

In her response, Justice Chikere said her sojourn in the federal judiciary made her a better person.

She expressed gratitude to Dr. Peter Odili, who was accompanied by his wife, Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court, for allowing her to be transferred from the State Judicial Civil Service to the Federal Judicial Service.

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Psalmz and Ishilove pls i need to know something

They delay will continue.I think the deadline for the court to rule will soon lapse

garfield1:
They delay will continue.I think the deadline for the court to rule will soon lapse

But why is the court acting this way in a very important issue like this?

Things like this is not helping Nigeria.

walemoney007:
But why is the court acting this way in a very important issue like this?

Things like this is not helping Nigeria.

It is helping Nigeria...for national interest,the status quo must be maintained

garfield1:


It is helping Nigeria...for national interest,the status quo must be maintained

Hmm

This is a bad precedent the Government and court is setting.

walemoney007:
Hmm

This is a bad precedent the Government and court is setting.

It is a good thinh

By the time everybody start choosing the kind of laws to follow, it will eventually lead to anarchy.

If the law states that states should be incharge of VATs, so be it.

The Constitution of Nigeria must be above any other thing.

A military personnel can start a coup and claim he is doing so for National Interest.

How will we confuse groups like IPOB to lay down their arms? The Court will likely be unfair to Nnamdi Kanu base on National Interest too.

garfield1:


It is a good thinh

Hmm

When the time elapse, and the supreme court gives no judgement, so what's next?

walemoney007:
Hmm

When the time elapse, and the supreme court gives no judgement, so what's next?

The status quo remains being fg keeps collecting vat

garfield1:


It is helping Nigeria...for national interest,the status quo must be maintained

Una no won enjoy una 100 trillion Vat again ?

mrvitalis:

Una no won enjoy una 100 trillion Vat again ?

Come again.IMO will vote osibanjo

walemoney007:
By the time everybody start choosing the kind of laws to follow, it will eventually lead to anarchy.

If the law states that states should be incharge of VATs, so be it.

The Constitution of Nigeria must be above any other thing.

A military personnel can start a coup and claim he is doing so for National Interest.

How will we confuse groups like IPOB to lay down their arms? The Court will likely be unfair to Nnamdi Kanu base on National Interest too.

No law says states should collect vat.the vat law and the firs law says firs should collect vat and give 80% to states and lgas

garfield1:



Come again.IMO will vote osibanjo

Oyo would vote Peter obi

They want to truncate that judgement because without you subsidising their failures their various regions would be decimated.

Continue deepthroating them, Mr Governor, let them choke

Oyo, Delta, Edo and Anambra State should be staunchly standing behind Lagos and Rivers in this VAT fight. This is the rational and the progressive thing to do..

Are you hoping that the Supreme Court of a Nation not founded on federalist principles will favor true federalism ?
Pipe Dreams.

Split this contraption

garfield1:


It is helping Nigeria...for national interest,the status quo must be maintained

How does the status quo help nigeria?

garfield1:

No law says states should collect vat.the vat law and the firs law says firs should collect vat and give 80% to states and lgas

These laws don't supersede the Constitution....

We all know the reason(s) they are delaying it.

Wetin be my problem ...

Matter don begin get k leg

Bubu has no integrity. He is the biggest con ma alive today.

Mr wike keep quiet...
You will loose the case...

FG is not those miscreants you overpower

H

Well, according to the constitution, States are to collect VAT but for some weird reasons, FIRS has been the one collecting it.. Wike has the Southern senators to thank for stalling the attempt by FIRS to ammend its Act.

mrvitalis:

Oyo would vote Peter obi

I meant 35% of IMO

fergie001:

These laws don't supersede the Constitution....

We all know the reason(s) they are delaying it.

The constitution is silent on vat issue.I am even surprised that the court has been quiet on the matter...

flokii:
Well, according to the constitution, States are to collect VAT but for some weird reasons, FIRS has been the one collecting it.. Wike has the Southern senators to thank for stalling the attempt by FIRS to to ammend its Act.

I doubt the constitution states the State should collect it.