By RismadarVoice Media
December 30, 2025
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Monday granted an accelerated hearing in a suit seeking to halt the implementation of the 2025 Tax Acts, however declined to issue an interim injunction restraining the Federal Government from enforcing the laws.
The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of African Initiative for Abuse Public Trustees against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, challenging alleged discrepancies in the tax legislation and its proposed implementation date of January 1, 2026.
Joined as respondents in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the National Assembly.
In a motion ex parte, the plaintiff sought an interim order, restraining the Federal Government from implementing the tax laws, pending the determination of the substantive originating summons.
The plaintiff also requested an order abridging the time for the defendants to file their counter-affidavits to five days, leave to serve court processes on the defendants through substituted means, an order for accelerated hearing of the substantive suit.
Ruling on the application argued by the plaintiff’s counsel, Nnamdi Mba, the vacation judge, Justice Bello Kawu, granted the request for accelerated hearing, approved substituted service on the defendants.
Justice Kawu ordered that the 1st and 2nd defendants be served through the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, while the 4th, 5th, and 6th defendants are to be served at the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.
However, the court declined to grant the interim injunction, restraining the Federal Government and its agencies from implementing the tax laws, directing instead that all the defendants be put on notice.
The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, December 31, for hearing of the motion on notice.
