The Federal Government has been sued by 36 state governments of the federation for its alleged failure to remit funds generated from stamp duties.
The states filed the suit on Thursday through their Attorneys-General. They are contending that they, and not the Federal Government should collect the stamp duties.
In the suit instituted at the Supreme Court, they are praying the apex court to determine whether or not they are the sole authority to administer and collect stamp duties on all transactions involving individuals and persons within their respective states.
They equally urged the court to ascertain whether or not they are entitled to 85% of all stamp duties collected on electronic money transfer levy, on electronic receipts or electronic transfers for money deposited in deposit money banks and financial institutions.
The further prayed for “a declaration that the defendant is not entitled to collect, administer, or keep the proceeds of any stamp duties on transactions involving individuals within the respective states of the plaintiffs or any manner interfere with the Plaintiff’s right and authority in the administering the provision of Section 4(2) of the Stamp Duties Act Cap. S8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“A declaration that the plaintiffs are entitled to all the sums of money collected by the defendant as stamp duties through whatever source or means in their respective states from 2015-2020 and thereafter till the time of the judgment of this honourable court with respect to individual persons’ transactions.”
The apex court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the matter.