The Court of Appeal in Abuja has joined Lagos State as a party in the appeal by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against the judgment of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which gave the right of VAT collection to Rivers State.
In a unanimous decision on Thursday, the court held that Lagos State is a component state of the federation and would be affected by the outcome of the litigation.
According to a report by ThisDay, the court had reserved ruling in the application by Lagos to be joined as an interested party on the grounds that the appellant had also mentioned it in the appeal against the Federal High Court judgment and it would only be fair to join it in the appeal so that it can defend itself.
Delivering ruling on the appeal, the court held that the application has merit and Lagos should be allowed into the case so as to defend itself.
