A Kogi-based legal practitioner and Rights activist, A. Odoma, has issued A Pre-Action Notice Against Kogi State’s Policy on Parental Tax Clearance for Student Registration: A Fight for Educational Justice
In a recent controversial policy, the Kogi State government threatened to shun fundamental rights for burdensome rules. A memo dated November 26, 2024, issued by the Chairman of the Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue Service, mandates that institutions of learning in the state refuse to register students who fail to present a verifiable tax clearance certificate from their parents. This policy has sparked outrage among citizens, with Human Rights Lawyer A. Odoma, Esq., stepping forward to challenge its legality.
In a pre-action notice addressed to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, and the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue Service, A. Odoma laid bare the policy’s flaws, branding it “repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience.”
PRE-ACTION NOTICE TO THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE AND THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF KOGI STATE BOARD OF INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE ON THE PARENTS TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION AS A PREREQUISITE FOR REGISTRATION IN KOGI STATE INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
I read a memo from the office of the Chairman Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue Service dated on the 26th November, 2024 mandating institutions of learning not to register any student without a verifiable parent’s tax clearance certificate. This policy is not only repugnant to Natural Justice, Equity and good conscience but also an attempt to deprive the future leaders their right to education. The Chairman of the board should take note that education is not a privilege but a right, it then goes to say that education is legally guaranteed for all without discrimination. All states including Kogi State has the duty to protect, respect and fulfill the right of education of her citizens without discrimination.
This policy is purely incongruous to the people’s right to education and we will hold the State accountable for violation and deprivation of our people’s right to education. How does it concern an innocent child/Student whose duty is not to enforce tax payment to suffer from non compliance of his parent to pay tax to Kogi State Government. We should also take note that we were once children of no body before we became somebody. Our quest to satisfy the financial urge of the government should not deprive the citizens of their fundamental rights especially that of education which is not freely given. I have seen some students without parents or guardians struggling to sponsor themselves with hard labour. Some of our Governors and Senators in Nigeria didn’t grow with parental support but via being determined and focused to achieve education.
I know the current Governor of Kogi State, the person of Alaji Usman Ododo, his style of leadership to the best of my knowledge is not in conformity with this obnoxious policy made in violation of people’s right to education and I am of a strong view that the said policy be reversed for the following reasons:
1. It is a violation of people’s right to education.
2. It affects the I.G.R. of the institutions of learning owing to deprivation of the right to register both as fresh or returning students.
His Excellency’s Government has not and should not be seen as Government that will pose untold hardship on the people. I have identified his government to be people’s friendly government and as such should though the path of honour by reversing the said policy before the 10th day of January 2025 or I shall humbly take the option of litigation against the government in protection of the people’s right to education.
Dated 27th day of December, 2024.
A. Odoma Esq.
(Human Rights Lawyer)
