Tribunal adjourns N28.2m suit filed against FIRS till Sept 2

The Tax Appeal Tribunal on Wednesday in Abuja, adjourned till September 2 the N28.2 million suit filed by Milan Nigeria Ltd against the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Mr Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), the Acting Chairman of the tribunal, said the case was adjourned due to the “ persistent absence of the counsel.’’
He complained about the inability of both parties to agree on terms of settlement out of court.
Ibegbu ordered both parties to come to court with their terms of settlement at the next adjourned date.
“The matter shall be dismissed if there are no duly filled terms of settlement of the matter before Sept. 2.’’
Mr Bright Igbinosa, counsel to FIRS said the management had discussions with Milan last week on how the matter could be resolved out of court.
“ The acting chairman has given us assurance that this matter will be settled next week,’’ he said.
Miss Ifedayo Owoso, Legal Adviser to Milan, was present in court.
The counsel to Milan appeared last on November 3, 2014.
Milan, in its claims, sought refund of N28.2 million Value Added Tax (VAT) deducted by FIRS.
There were also several claims in the appeal dated May 17, 2012, by both parties, one of which stated that Milan owed FIRS N23.2 million.
Milan appealed that FIRS should deduct the above sum from the VAT refund of N28.2 million.
In the same appeal, Milan requested that the remaining amount of N4.95 million should be used to settle future tax liabilities.
Milan also appealed that the FIRS approves a waiver of interest and claims of N53 million against the company.