Activist asks court to compel Kano, others to refund VAT generated from alcohol

An Abuja-based activist, Sesugh Akume, has filed a suit before a Federal High Court in the nation’s capital, asking it to compel states that outlawed the sale of alcohol to refund the sums received through Value Added Tax imposed on alcoholic beverages.

About 12 states practise Sharia law in Nigeria. They are Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Zamfara and Niger. Based on Sharia law, some of the states prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages and usually hold public events where bottles of alcoholic drinks are destroyed while gambling is also illegal.

However, all the states receive VAT collected from alcoholic beverages sold in other states that permit the sale of the product.

In an originating motion brought pursuant to Section 1(3), 4(5), 162(3), (4) and 163 of the constitution and Section 6(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, the lawyer put four issues before the court for determination.

Listed as respondents are the Attorney-General of the Federation and the EFCC.

In the case with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/275/2021, Akume asked the court to determine if the wilful destruction of alcoholic beverage bottles was not economic sabotage.

He also asked the court to determine whether it is a contradiction to destroy bottles of alcoholic beverage while benefiting from VAT from the same product.

Akume also sought six reliefs including an order that the production, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages are not forbidden in Nigeria by the Nigerian constitution and that any law criminalising it is unconstitutional.

The activist is also seeking an order compelling the EFCC to determine and publish the extent of financial loss incurred by the destruction of alcoholic beverages.

He is also seeking a declaration that, “retaining and utilising any allocation, VAT or any funds distributed by the Federal Government is not mandatory as any recipient – state or local government – may refund same to the Federal Government or give to others.”

In a supporting affidavit deposed to by the applicant, Akume stated that Nigeria generates huge funds from the production and sale of alcoholic drinks, adding that it constitutes the 4th highest VAT revenue in the country.

Akume said between January and September 2019, N31.8bn in VAT was generated from breweries.

He added, “Some states in the country have been notorious for destroying alcoholic beverage bottles, wasting the content. The Kano Hisbah Board for instance, on Friday March 12, 2020, destroyed 34,000 bottles of different alcoholic beverages.

“The practice continued and on September 27, 2013, it destroyed 244, 151 bottles of alcohol.”

He said besides Kano, Jigawa had also engaged in such practice.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/activist-asks-court-to-compel-kano-others-to-refund-vat-generated-from-alcohol/%3famp=1

Also sought six reliefs including an order that the production, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages are not forbidden in Nigeria by the Nigerian constitution and that any law criminalising it is unconstitutional.

I agree with this line of thought though I am not an alcoholic.The hypocrisy of govt in the northern region and their overzealous religious bodies like Hisbah is appalling.How can they be destroying alcohol, pork yet the merchants in these goods pay revenue to LG/state/FG that are eventually shared as revenue for all to benefit from?

don't mind those hypocrites

They are hypocrites. Bunch of religion bigots5

[img]https://media./images/04c3bd721a0fa40bcd1e90540e8dc815/tenor.gif[/img]

NICE

They can’t eat their cake and still have it

This is an attempt at negotiating with the devil. There should be no refund of VAT but a total refund of value of alcohol destroyed. If a product defiles you, then stay away from it. Religion is personal thing and not a thing some pius-looking cult should seek to impose on territories.

A man who hates the hen but eats the egg

Bunch of crooked hypocrites

They should gladly accept this

Islam and hypocrisy are like....

Someone please share that Zuma's hand in hand gestures

All over the world Islam and Muslims are hypocritical in everything. Political Movement disgusting as Religion.

You claim Islam is the ''Religion of Peace'' yet account for 99% global terrorism and violent bloodshed.

Long overdue they can not be reaping from where they did not sow

The activist has my full support.

Long overdue

Nonsense hypocritical elements up north

Good one

YEAH SO, YOU CANT ENJOY WHAT YOU PREACHED AGAINST. THIS IS HYPOCRAZY IN THE HIGHEST FORM, YOU DONT DRINK OR ALLOW THE SALE OF ALCOHOL BUT YOU LIKE THE CIT AND VAT THAT ACCRUEDS FROM ALCOHOLIC SALES. JIHADISTS ARE SO FUKKING CONFUSED

That's the simple truth, we can't share in a harvest which you didn't partake in because you say it's against your religion or practice.



Check my signature if you have a car and interested in installing a tracking device. It might interest you

Mr Akume, you are a good thinker with sense
Imagine telling everyone that you don't eat cat meat, but will be seen using your teeth to share the meat for those that eat cat meat
Hypocrism of the highest order...

Useless people with myopic ways of life

I still don't believe I'm from diz same country with diz pple called aboki .... Even UAE where their muhamed comes from .... They approve drinking of alkholic last year

Akwamkpuruamu:
A man who hates the hen but eats the egg

....... is called egg-terian

This is just the plain truth, you can't teap where you didnt sow.

Leave those hypocrites..
They nor Wan drink beer but they one collect money for beer....


Today is my birthday

Abi o.. Bunch of hypocrites

Tolexander:
NICE

They can’t eat their cake and still have it

Exactly

The south should stop dragging the North into their beer wahala. Alcohol is a sin in Islam.
God bless the North