The Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun on Wednesday 19 February 2025 swore in the newly appointed Commissioners for the Tax Appeal Tribunal in accordance with the provision contained in the FIRS Act. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Federal Ministry of Finance Building, Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
The Tax Appeal Tribunal was established pursuant to Section 59 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act of 2007 and its proceedings are guided by the Tax Appeal Tribunal Procedure Rules and the 5th Schedule of the FIRS Act which gives the Tribunal the power to adjudicate over all matters arising from and pertaining to the Taxes contained in the 1st Schedule of the FIRS Establishment Act.
It would be recalled that the tenure of the last set of Hon. Commissioners expired in July 2024 and the Tribunal did not have the opportunity to adjudicate on Tax matters as mandated by the law; an error the Hon. Minister has corrected today with this inauguration.
While administering the Oaths of office to the 49 newly appointed Commissioners, Mr Wale Edun urged the Hon. Commissioners to discharge their duties with a high level of integrity, professionalism, diligence and fairness to all parties.
In the same vein, the Hon. Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite also highlighted the key objectives of the Tribunal, which include reducing the incidence of tax evasion, ensuring fairness and transparency in tax administration and minimizing delays and bottlenecks in the adjudication of tax disputes.
Dr. Doris further urged the new commissioners to be upright, not to falter and toe the path of infamy but must adjudicate Tax disputes according to the constitution.
In her remark, the Coordinating Secretary of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, Anita Erinne expressed profound appreciation to the Hon. Minister for Finance, Mr. Wale Edun and his deputy- Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite for their unflinching support which has encouraged the Tribunal to achieve its set goals, and assured of the Tribunal mandate to promote confidence in Nigeria’s Tax System.
The new Commissioners are SOYINKA-ONIJALA Moremi, AMOMAN Anthony Oyedele, FALANA Gbenga, EZEUDEKA Chukwudi, IBRAHIM Amina, Aderibigbe Adedeji SAN, OHAGWA Innocent Chinyere, OLATUNDE Odanye, AKINOLA Akindele, AKWIWU Anne, ADIMULA Ruth, OLAMIDE Obajimi, AGBELUYI Olushola, OBIDEGWU Chukwuma, OGUNNIYI Iyabode, LADAPO Abimbola, AJILA Balelayo, YUSSUF Mojirola and OYENUGA Adesola.
Others are UMMAHANI Amin, GARBA James, YERIMA Adamu, KABIR Albakariyu, AJAEGBU Idowu, OKPE Ochanya, NASIRU Muhammad, ADAMU Kish, AMADI Ladidi, BELLO-ISMAIL Bintah, AGBU Andrew, MEDAIYEDU Stephen, ALI Inna, ADEBISI Femi, LWAHASMANG Setshak Gongle, OBAYOMI Wole, OBAYEMI Kolawole, SANNI Sheriff, FATUTU Omotayo, BALOGUN Yetunde and NWALA Chukwudi.
The rest are EGBO Jude, OKIDE Ezigbo, EROMOSELE Ailenoghionmhan, SUNSUWA Audu, UNIMNA Ungwugwaye, EIYA Ofiafoh, ABORISADE Adeola, ASORO Osariuyimen and OLAYINKA Adewale.
In his vote of thanks, Hon. Aderibigbe Adedeji SAN expressed appreciation on behalf of his colleagues to the Hon. Minister for finding them worthy and assured that the Tribunal will live up to its constitutional mandates and expectations.
With the swearing-in of the new Tax Appeal Commissioners, the Coordinating Secretary, Anita Erinne enjoined the Commissioners to kick the ground running and urged the taxpayers and the general public to advantage of the Tribunal for speedy resolution of tax disputes.
The Tax Appeal Tribunal had tribunals across the six geopolitical zones as well as Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
