Lawyers and human rights activists on Tuesday took to the streets to protest the new tax regimes introduced by Lagos State Government about a week ago.
They insisted that they would take the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s-led administration to court if the protests refused to change anything.
Very pronounced among the taxes is the one on property in the state.
Following the introduction of the tax regimes, some lawyers and rights activists gave the government a seven day period to reverse the increment.
However as at Tuesday, the order remained, hence the decision to take to the streets in protest.
Different banners and placards were displayed expressing the protesters’ opposition to the new tax regime.
Prominent among the protesters is the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, Adesina Ogunlana.
He pointed out that the new tax regime was capable of causing hyperinflation, insecurity, hunger and increased criminal activities.
He insisted that the government would be made to reverse the increase in the taxes.
According to him, they would not go for any negotiation but insist on reversal.
His words: “If the governor refuses to stop and reverse all tax increments after our protest, we will go to court.
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“The law court is part of our struggle. We are here for one purpose; to fight against our oppressor. We know our condition of life, sweating everyday, having problems with food, accommodation and they are here asking us to pay taxes, taxes and more taxes.
“I know of a school given N5 million for borehole permit. Are the parents of the students not in trouble?
“Ambode’s tax is illegal, toxic, satanic and we are not going to accept it. We voted for him and now he wants to vote us out of Lagos.”
The protest took them from the NBA secretariat at the Ikeja Magistrate Court to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Addressing the protesters at the House of Assembly, the Majority Leader, Mr. Sani Agunbiade, thanked them for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner.
He said the letter of protest to the Speaker of the House would be received by the Clerk while the Commissioner for Information would receive the one for the governor.
