The Public Interest Litigation and Development Law section of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA-SPIDEL, has set up the legal team to sue the federal Government of Nigeria over the legality of the new policy on yearly renewal of proof of ownership certificates.
Recently, the Federal Government introduced an annual fee of N1,000 to be paid by motorists in the country for Proof of Ownership Certificate verification.
Making the announcement on the issue at a press conference of the Joint Tax Board comprising the boards of Internal Revenue Service of 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, June 27, 2023, the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos Ministry of Transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola said, “The annual Proof of Ownership Certificate is in line with compliance with legal requirements fundamental to transparency, security and accountability within transportation network,” adding that all motorist shall pay a mandatory levy of N,1000 annually to renew the POC. Lagos State, he added, would start implementation on July 1, 2023.
The policy which has drawn nationwide condemnation considering that vehicle owners normally pay POC fee and the hostile regime of non- subsidies , has attracted the attention of the NBA section.
The statement of the NBA section and members of the legal team are as stated below :
YEARLY RENEWAL OF PROOF OF OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR VEHICLES BY JOINT TAX BOARD.; CONSTITUTION OF LEGAL TEAM TO CHALLENGE THE LEGALITY OF THE POLICY.
Pursuant to our mandate as the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest Litigation and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) which amongst others, is to defend the interest of the public against oppressive and illegal policies of public authorities, and the overall objective of the NBA to defend the rights of the people, we, the officers of SPIDEL hereby set up this Legal Team to critically examine the legality of the policy and take necessary legal actions, including litigation, to frontally challenge same immediately.
Members of the Legal Team are:
1. Kunle Edun..Lead Counsel.
2. Francis Ogunbowale..Ikeja branch.
3. Maxwell Opara.. Abuja branch.
4. Felix Akpowowo..Warri branch.
5. Adeola Folarin..Ikeja branch
6. Ibrahim Al-Hussein..Gombe branch.
7. Izu Aniagu..Enugu branch.
The consultant to the team is our well-respected Ikeazor Akaraiwe, SAN.
John Aikpokpo-Martins
Chairman (NBA-SPIDEL).
Funmi Adeogun
Secretary
(NBA-SPIDEL)
