David Williams
The Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) has emphasized the importance of a robust working relationship among revenue authorities, the Judiciary, the Legislature and the public as a critical strategy for curbing tax-related offences.
The Executive Chairman of EKIRS, Mr. Olaniran Olatona, made this known on Wednesday during a training session for Revenue Judges and Magistrates held at the Revenue House, Ado-Ekiti.
The training with the theme; “Enhancing Judicial Competence in Tax Matters: Principles, Practices and Emerging Trends,” was designed to strengthen the capacity of judicial officers in handling tax-related issues.
Mr. Olatona stressed that the support of the judiciary is vital to achieving improved tax compliance and strengthening the state’s revenue drive.
According to him, the Service prioritizes voluntary compliance with tax obligations over litigation, describing it as a more sustainable approach to revenue administration.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to the vision of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to build a fiscally resilient state where the Internally Generated Revenue is sufficient to fund recurrent expenditure.
Delivering a lecture on “New Tax Reforms,” the Head of Direct Assessment at EKIRS, Mr. Oluwasegun Ogunsanya, highlighted the critical role of the judiciary in ensuring compliance through enforcement, fostering public trust in the tax system, supporting economic development, and expediting the resolution of revenue matters.
In his presentation, the Director of the Legal Directorate at the Lagos Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Seyi Alade, used Lagos State as a case study to underscore the need for synergy between tax authorities and the Judiciary.
He noted that optimal revenue generation can only be achieved when both institutions work in harmony.
Mr. Alade further stressed the need for judicial officers to possess adequate knowledge of tax laws and advocated specialised pathways to fast-track administrative and judicial processes in tax-related cases.
Head of Legal Department, EKIRS, Barr. Ayodeji Olaifa, said enforcement/distrain should be seen as an instrument to engender voluntary compliance by the tax payers and not a punitive instrument to be used to unnecessarily embarrass the taxpayers who are expected to be treated with dignity.
Also, EKIRS Legal Adviser, Miss Emmanuella Akinyemi, who spoke on “Tax Ombud and Tax Appeal Tribunal”, stated that both legal entities are meant to strengthen Nigeria’s tax governance, promote fairness and reduce arbitrariness in tax administration.
On his part, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, EKIRS, Mr. Wasiu Mohammed, in his presentation titled; “State and Local Government Collectibles and Areas of Conflict”, called for strict enforcement of the approved list of taxes and levies, improved revenue harmonization, greater adoption of technology, and clearly defined institutional roles.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Hon. Justice O. Olatawura commended EKIRS for organising the training and urged the Service to sustain such capacity-building initiatives.
He also assured of continued collaboration between the judiciary and the revenue agency.
The training was attended by Hon. Justices O. Olatawura, O. C. Adegoke, S. R. Akinyede, S. B. J. Bamise, and J. Ajibare; as well as Chief Magistrates A. A. Omotosho and J. A. Ayodele; Senior Magistrate C. O. Ariyo; and Magistrates F. N. Olaiya, P. T. Ajibade, and A. O. Oluyemi.
EKIRS officials present included; the Director of Personal Income Tax, Mr. Joseph Olorunfemi; Director of Tax Intelligence, Audit and Data Analytics, Mrs. Yemisi Akin-Babalola; Director of New Growth Areas and Other Taxes, Mrs. Sade Daramola; Head of Human Resources, Mrs. Tosin Osesusi; Head of Communications and Liaison, Ayomiposi Ayedun, among others.
