- NBA Abuja July 2023 meeting in pictures
The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf has inuagurated a Small Claims Court.
Chief Magistrate Ibrahim Vera Ene who made the disclosure at the July meeting of the NBA Abuja (Unity Bar) revealed that the court which was launched on the 6th of July 2023 is modelled after the Small Claims Court in England.
The Chief Magistrate who gave a talk on the practice and procedures of the Small Claims Court said the court is for liquidated monetary demand which does not exceed 4 Million Naira.
The court according her accommodates counter claims not exceeding 7 Million Naira, while the entire proceedings last for only 60 days from start to finish. Also parties have a right of appeal after 14 days of Judgement.
In the course of the meeting, Dr Chukwuemeka Eze, the Chairman of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, South East Zone, gave a talk on the practice and procedures of the Tax Appeal Tribunal. He x-rayed the decisions of the Tribunal over the years.
Dr Eze urged Lawyers to comply with tax regulations and regimes in the country because as tax offences are strict liability offences which do not admit of the strict rules of evidence. He further said that taxation is global and sui generic. No technicalities are allowed and that cases are decided between 3 to 6 months. He said that there are 50 Tax Appeal Commissioners in Nigeria and sit in the 8 zones of the Tax Appeal Tribunal in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Branch, Afam O. Okeke,Esq thanked Tax Appeal Tribunal for partnering with the branch. He also thanked Chief Magistrate Ibrahim Vera Ene for sensitising members on practice and procedure of the newly introduced Small Claims Court.
The branch meeting was well attended (onsite and virtual) by members of the bar. Chief Dr Ogwu James Onoja SAN appreciated the branch officers for the good job they are doing, he also appreciated members of the branch for their support for the branch. Prof Paul Idornigie SAN gave vote of thanks to the host (TAT) of the meeting. Chief A. A. Malik SAN , Adekola Mustapha SAN and a host others were in attendance.
