Stamp Duty: 36 state govts sue FG, demand N176billion refund

The 36 state governments have sued the federal government for allegedly refusing to remit funds generated from stamp duties into state governments’ accounts.

The plaintiffs suing through their respective attorneys-general, filed the suit against the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, representing the federal government

they urged the court to order the federal government to refund over 176 billion naira collected as stamp duties on individual persons’ transactions within their respective states for the period of 2015 to 2020.

They contended that the power to collect stamp duties lies squarely with the states and not the federal government.

The suit is coming at a time the Rivers state government is locked in a fierce legal tussle with the federal government over revenues from Value Added Tax (VAT).