N5,000 CATTLE TAX: COURT REFUSES TO EXTEND RESTRAINING ORDER ON GOVT

Adamawa State High Court of Justice on Tuesday, refused to extend order of interim injunction restraining the State Government from collecting N5, 000 as taxes on cattle. NEWS PLATFORM can report.

Hon. Justice Musa Usman, refused to extend the order while ruling on the oral application filed by Roland C Enem, counsel to the Incorporated Trustees of Amalgamated Cattle Dealers Association of Nigeria. 

Consequently, the judge has adjourned the matter to the 30th September, 2022 for hearing of the preliminary objection filed by counsels to the respondents.

Earlier, the association through its counsel, Roland C. Enem, asked the court to extend its order which has expired today, so as to continue to restrain the Government from collecting N5, 000 instead of N500.

On their part, counsels to the respondents, Konleganyiga U. J and A. M. Iliyasu(Senior State Counsel II), vehemently objected the oral application for the extention.

According to them, the applicants did not establish to the satisfaction of the court that the extension will better serve the interest of justice than refusing it, and urged the court to refuse it.

The presiding judge of the court had last week, restrained the government from collecting N5, 000 tax on every cattle being transported from Adamawa State markets to other States in the Country.

The association and its Chairman Mubi chapter, Abubakar Daifuru and Bello Bakori, sued the State Government, Attorney General and Commissioner Ministry of Justice, Board of Internal Revenue, Commissioner of Police, and one other for reviewing taxes on the cattle.

Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after sitting, counsel to the applicants, Roland C. Enem, said that the court had slated today for hearing of motion on notice.

He said that the matter could not be heard because the respondents' counsels served them with preliminary objection and counter affidavit, saying that they had asked for adjournment to enable them respond.

On his part, the Chairman Incorporated Trustees of Amalgamated Cattle Dealers Association of Nigeria, Adamawa State, Abubakar Inuwa, said that members of the association are law abiding citizens, and that they will not violate court order. 

Inuwa said that they are ready to abide by the decision of the court, and that their concern is how ensure a cordial working relationship between the association and the government.

Also speaking, the Chairmen of the association Mubi and Ngurore, Abubakar Daifuru and Bamanga Salihu, respectively, called on their members to exercise patience and wait for the court to determine the matter.