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Court Stops FIRS from Enforcing VAT on Goods Consumed in Hotels

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Justice Rilwanu Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has barred the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), from enforcing VAT provisions on goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants and event centres in Lagos State.

 

Justice Aikawa gave the order while delivering judgment in the suit seeking to restrain the Attorney General (AG) of Lagos State from enforcing the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption (Fiscalisation) Regulations Law (HORC), 2017, in the view that VAT Act has covered the field.

 

In the suit the Registered Trustees of Hotel Owners and Managers Association of Lagos (HOMA) had sued the AG in Lagos State and FIRS in the suit no. FHC/L/CS/360/2018.

 

The HOMA had asked the court to declare that by virtue of Section 7, of the VAT Act, the second defendant (FIRS) was the only lawful and constitutional agency charged with the administration and management of consumption tax generally and particularly in Lagos state.

 

Justice Aikawa, in delivering the judgment, dismissed the suit and held that it was lacking in merit, adding that the plaintiff was obliged to comply with the HORC Law 2009 and the HORC Regulations 2017.

 

The court also raised two issues by herself; whether the Federal High Court had the jurisdiction to pronounce on the constitutionality of VAT. The court resolved that it has jurisdiction.

 

Aikawa also held that the issue of the powers of the minister to amend the schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act was not in dispute before the court and so no pronouncement could be made on it.

 

The court in dismissing the originating summons, as lacking merit and resolving the questions and reliefs sought in favour of the first defendant, held:

 

“That consumption tax is not stated in either the exclusive and concurrent legislative list, in the Constitution of Nigeria, therefore, the absence on the concurrent and exclusive lists, puts consumption tax on the residual list, which is within the legislative competence and powers of state governments.

 

“That VAT Act can’t cover the field over what the federal government has no power to legislate upon, under the constitution, therefore the determinant factor in the issue of covering the field, is whether there is power to make the Law.

“The provisions of VAT Act relating to consumption tax are inconsistent with the Nigerian constitution.

 

“The Minister of Finance has corrected the anomaly, by including consumption tax in the list of taxes collectible by state government, therefore, the responsibility for collecting consumption tax lies on the state government.

 

“The provisions of Sections 1, 2, 4, 5 & 12 of VAT Act are in breech of the 1999 constitution and the plaintiffs are obliged to comply with the HORC Law 2009 and the HORC Regulations 2017.

 

“FIRS are barred from enforcing VAT provisions as it relates to consumption tax on goods and services consumed in Hotels, Restaurants and Event Centres in Lagos State, ” the judgement read.

 

The Registered Trustees of HOMA had filed an originating summons asking the court to determine the following:

 

“Whether the VAT Act regulating imposition of tax on consumption of goods and services has not covered the field on taxation of goods and services consumed in hotels, event centres and restaurant in Lagos State.

 

“Whether by virtue of Section 7 of the VAT Act, the second defendant (FIRS) is not the only lawful and constitutional agency charged with the administration and management of consumption tax generally and particularly in Lagos State.

 

“Whether the provisions of the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption (Fiscalization) Regulations 2017 are of no effect, in view of the fact that VAT Act has covered the field”.

 

Consequently, the first defendant, (AG Lagos State), filed a counter-claim urging the court to determine;

 

“Whether the provisions of Sections 1, 2, 4, 5 & 12 of VAT Act by which the FIRS imposes tax on customers for goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants and event centres in Lagos State is inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 4(2), 4(a) & (b) and 4 (7) (a) & (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and therefore unconstitutional and invalid?

 

“Whether by the provisions of Section 4 (7) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the provisions of the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act Cap T2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria as amended by the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies order 2015) and the provisions of HORC Law 2009.

 

“Whether the counter-claimant is the only constitutional and lawful body empowered to assess, impose and collect taxes from customers of the Plaintiff for goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurant and event centres in Lagos State.

 

The first defendant sought some reliefs which included;

 

“A declaration that the provisions of Sections 1, 2, 4, 5 & 12 of VAT Act is inconsistent with the constitution and therefore invalid and unconstitutional.

 

“A declaration that the counter claimant (AG) is the only constitutional and lawful body empowered to assess, impose and collect consumption tax in Lagos State.

 

“A declaration that the plaintiff is obliged to comply and implement the provisions of the HORC Law, made pursuant thereto, in relation to good and services consumed in Hotels , Restaurant and Event Centres in Lagos State

 

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the FIRS from implementing or enforcing the provisions of VAT Act on customers of the plaintiff for goods and services consumed in hotels, event centres and restaurant in Lagos State”.

 


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SEC Probes Ponzi Scheme Linked to FF Tiffany

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The Securities and Exchange Commission has revealed plans to commence investigation into the activities of an entity operating under FF Tiffany, allegedly running a fraudulent investment scheme that has defrauded citizens.

A statement by the SEC on Tuesday in Abuja said preliminary information revealed that the scheme, which promised investors unusually high and unrealistic returns, had resulted in the loss of several billions of naira.

The SEC said it viewed the activity as a threat to investor confidence and the overall integrity of the financial system.

The commission assured the public that it was working closely with law enforcement agencies and other relevant bodies to bring everyone involved in the unlawful operation to justice.

According to SEC, those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the Investment and Securities Act and regulatory provisions.

SEC reiterated its earlier warnings to the general public to desist from engaging in Ponzi or unregistered investment schemes that promised guaranteed or exaggerated returns.

“These schemes are not registered with the SEC and do not offer investor protection under the law.

“The commission is currently investigating 79 schemes and will make a statement on its findings at the conclusion of the investigation,” the SEC said.

The commission encouraged investors to conduct due diligence and verify the registration status of any investment firm or product by visiting the SEC website or contacting the commission directly through official channels.

SEC said it remained committed to its mandate of protecting investors, ensuring fair practices, and maintaining confidence in Nigeria’s capital market.

 


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US Launches ‘Window on America’ @ Ogun Tech Hub

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The Ogun Tech Hub in Abeokuta, Nigeria received a significant step towards increasing digital access and empowering young people as US Embassy in Nigeria launched the ‘Window on America’ facility.

The newly opened centre will offer free high-speed internet, computer access, and targeted programs to help young Nigerians build essential skills in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

In a post on X (previously Twitter), the US Embassy described the hub as a modern ICT and resource centre meant to promote digital inclusion and provide youths with skills.

“Hello Abeokuta! We’re thrilled to announce the opening of the Ogun Tech Hub Window on America. This dynamic space offers free high-speed internet, computers, and programs to help young people gain tech, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills,” the Embassy wrote.

The facility was established in collaboration with the Ogun State and GFA Technologies, a software solutions provider for startups and SMEs.

The Embassy said the facility is part of its wider network of 29 American hubs across Nigeria, designed to empower youth and broaden access to global knowledge and opportunities.

Speaking during the launch, Ogun State governor Dapo Abiodun urged young people to use the ICT industry for self-sufficiency and competitiveness globally.

He lauded the program as a public-private cooperation that connects Nigerian youngsters with global innovations.

The governor said: “The Ogun Tech Hub serves as a collaborative space for technologists, startups, and social entrepreneurs to develop tech-driven solutions for societal challenges. The partnership is aimed at positioning Ogun State as a leading tech hub in Africa, supporting creative problem-solving and commercial innovation.”

With the ‘Window on America’ program fully operational, Ogun State is well-positioned to boost youth empowerment and digital literacy.


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TikTok Removes Over 3.6m Videos in Nigeria, Citing Safety Priorities

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In a demonstration of its ongoing commitment to user safety, TikTok removed more than 3.6 million videos from the platform in Nigeria between January and March 2025, a 50% increase in removals over the previous quarter, for violating its Community Guidelines.
These figures were revealed in TikTok’s Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, underscoring the platform’s priority of creating a safe, respectful and trustworthy digital environment.
With a proactive detection rate of 98.4%, which is content removed before it was reported to TikTok and 92.1% of videos removed within 24 hours, the report reflects TikTok’s continued investment in innovation, advanced technology, and expert moderation teams to improve enforcement systems that detect and remove harmful content before it reaches audiences.
With millions of positive, educational and entertaining videos uploaded on TikTok every day, TikTok is continually strengthening its ability to identify and remove content that goes against its Community Guidelines. The latest removals report represents a small fraction of the total number of videos posted by the Nigerian community quarterly; highlighting that the platform has more positive and empowering content.
In March 2025, TikTok also removed 129 accounts in West Africa tied to covert operations.
TikTok LIVE
While TikTok LIVE enables creators and viewers to connect, create and build communities together, in real-time, the platform has intensified its LIVE Monetization Guidelines, making it clearer how some content is not eligible for monetization.
LIVE content enforcement also remained a top priority. In the first quarter of 2025, TikTok banned 42 196 LIVE rooms and interrupted 48 156 streams in Nigeria that were found to violate the platform’s community guidelines.
A global system for localised protection
Globally, more than 211 million videos were removed in Q1 2025, up from 153 million in the previous quarter, with over 184 million removed through automation. The platform’s global proactive detection rate reached 99%, demonstrating continued improvements in identifying and removing harmful content quickly and effectively.
Despite these high-volume interventions, harmful content still represents a very small portion of what users post. Globally, less than 1% of content uploaded to TikTok is found to violate its community guidelines, a testament to its continued prioritisation of proactive safeguards.
Bringing resources to Nigeria’s community, together
In June, TikTok Africa hosted its “My Kind of TikTok Digital Well-being Summit” bringing together experts, NGOs, creators, media and industry leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, to collectively explore, tackle, and improve the state of digital wellbeing both on and beyond the platform.
Part of a suite of announcements made at the Summit and building on a successful pilot in Europe, TikTok is expanding in-app helpline resources to Nigeria, in partnership with Cece Yara, a child-centered non-profit organisation prioritising youth safety and support. This means that in the coming weeks, young users in Nigeria will have access to local helplines in-app that provide expert support when reporting content related to suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment.
Collaborating with experts, TikTok has also announced Nigeria’s Dr Olawale Ogunlana (Doctor Wales) as a TikTok Digital Well-being ambassador, part of a diverse group of verified healthcare professionals from the WHO Fides Network.
Alongside these efforts and commitment to safety, TikTok encourages community participation through user reporting and education. As part of its ongoing #SaferTogether campaign, the platform advocates for a more collaborative approach to creating a respectful online environment.
The Q1 2025 report reflects TikTok’s deepening efforts to safeguard its Nigerian user base, strengthen enforcement systems, and remain transparent about the measures being taken to uphold platform integrity.

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