NSCIA Makes Recommendations to Tax Reforms Bill
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 is the apex Islamic body in Nigeria and oversees the affairs of Islam and Muslims in the country. It learned about the public hearing through a media item on Monday.
In the memorandum, NSCIA said the lack of prior notice created a constraint on making any submissions before today (Tuesday).
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 other not to give the impression that it excluded some religious group.”
NECIA said that, taking all the above into consideration, it recommends the passage of the Bills. It added that it appreciates the opportunity to make the submission and remains committed to constructive engagement in national policy formulation and legislative reforms.
