The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has made recommendations to the Tax Reforms Bill before the National Assembly via a memorandum submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance.
The NSCIA, under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, being the apex Islamic body in Nigeria and superintending over the affairs of Islam and Muslims in the country, said it got to know about the public hearing through a media items on Monday.
NSCIA, in the memorandum, said the lack of prior notice created a constraint in making any submission before today (Tuesday).
Advertisement
To order your copy, send a WhatsApp message to +1 317 665 2180
The Memorandum read: “Meanwhile, considering the importance of the Bills in question to Nigerians, particularly the Muslim Ummah, we hereby make the following recommendations.
“the NSCIA, as the representative of all Muslims from all parts of the country, recommends that all the major technical and political-socio issues raised by different sections and segments of the country should be diligently considered equitably addressed to the satisfaction of almost, if not, all segments of the country.
“The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides for the establishment of Shariah Court of Appeal for Muslim personal laws, which include marriage and inheritance.
“Therefore, all sections of the bills that may directly or indirectly impugn on the law on Shariah would be unconstitutional and should therefore be removed.
“The term “ecclesiastical” used in a section of the Bills should be changed to “religious” in order not to give the impression that it excluded some religious group.”
The NECIA said taken all the above into consideration, it recommends the passage of the Bills, adding that it appreciate the opportunity to make the submission and that it remains committed to constructive engagement in national policy formulation and legislative reforms.
