Mr Okon Okon, Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, addressing the workshop.
Nsikak Esenowo
The Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service has organised a-3 day training on contemporary issues in taxation for Judges in Akwa Ibom State.
Akwa Ibom State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ekaette Obot, declared the training opened on Wednesday 2nd August 2023, at the Ibom Icon hotels and Golf resorts, Uyo.
The Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Mr. Okon Okon, underscored the importance of the tax training, saying that it will help to improve tax adjudication and administration in the State.
Mr. Okon, thanked the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Ekaette Obot, for granting approval for the training, acknowledged the pivotal role Judges play in interpreting the law and ensuring fairness in the application of tax legislation and practice in the justice delivery system.
He expressed optimism that the training will keep the Judges abreast with trends in taxation.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the Akwa Ibom State Board of Internal Revenue to this first batch of a-3 day training on taxation for Judges. Let me use this opportunity to specially thank His Lordship, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Justice Ekaette F. Obot, who graciously granted the approval for this training”.
“As Judges play a key role in interpreting the law and ensuring fairness in the application of tax legislations, regulations and administration, I am optimistic that this training will serve as open windows for sharing of knowledge and ideas on how to improve tax adjudication and administration in our State”, the Mr Okon said.
The Executive Chairman, AKIRS also appreciated the resource persons, who are seasoned tax experts and experienced professional for accepting to share their wealth of knowledge on the contemporary issues on taxation which he emphasized will go a long way to further prepare Judges to adjudicate on tax matters as well as improve the justice delivered effectively.
READ: Single interstate road sticker, haulage fee, will end multiple taxation – AKIRS Chairman
In a keynote address, Hon. Justice Ekaette Obot, noted that taxation which is a vital component of generating government revenue serves as a fundamental pillar in shaping the economic landscape of any society, adding that for the Judiciary to play its crucial role, there is need for Judges and magistrates to possess necessary knowledge and skills to handle contemporary tax matters.
The Chief Judge, expressed optimism that the knowledge gained will enable the Judges and Magistrates to adjudicate tax-related cases with fairness, Impartiality, and adherence to the principles of justice, and commended Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service for its foresight in organising this training.
“Taxation is a vital component of generating government revenue and providing essential services. It serves as a fundamental pillar in shaping the economic landscape of any society”.
“As participants embark on this training journey, the knowledge gained will enable our judges and magistrates to adjudicate tax-related cases with fairness, Impartiality, and adherence to the principles of justice. Through continuous training and retraining, we can collectively build a more robust and more efficient tax administration system in Akwa Ibom State”.
Papers presented at the workshop were,
“Tax Dispute Resolution from Administrative, Statutory and Constitutional Perspectives”, by Mr Chukwuemeka Eze; “Overview of the Legal Framework of Taxes and Levies Collected by State Government”, by Prof Ezekiel Edem; “Application for and Enforcement of Distrain Orders by Courts to Recover Unpaid Taxes” and “Jurisdiction Issues in Enforcement of States Taxes”, by Prof Jack Osimiri.
Other were, “End-to-End Processes in Tax Administration”, by Prof Ezekiel Edem;
“Fundamentals of Tax Recovery by State Internal Revenue Service”, by Dr Ekokoi Solomon; and “Tax Prosecution and Its Innovation as an Option in Tax Recovery” presented by Mr Chukwuemeka Eze.
