The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED has kicked against the tax reform bills before the current National Assembly, saying it was designed to further impoverish Nigerians more.

The organisation also commended the Supreme Court for its landmark ruling that rejected the lawsuit brought before it by 16 states governors led by Kogi State.

The lawsuit had challenged the legality and operational authority of key anti-corruption agencies, namely: the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

Addressing journalists In Abuja, Executive Director of CHRICED, Ibrahim Zukirullahi, said the continuous derivation formula for Value Added Tax (VAT) was targeted at diverting the public attention from heinous policies contained in the proposed legislation.

“All the other languages that have been used to decorate the so-called tax reform are to deceive the people that it is meant to revive our economy. What the government is aiming at is to collect more and more money from the people”, he stated.

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Speaking on the apex judgment affirming the establishment of the EFCC, the CHRICED boss said the court did not play to the gallery, but has listened to the voice of reason and the public outcry in dismissing the frivolous lawsuit which he said lacks merit.

He explained that by addressing the root causes of corruption, the government can unlock significant financial resources that would otherwise be lost to corrupt practices, thereby a more sustainable environment.

He argued remarked that a determined approach to tackling corruption is a far more effective strategy for enhancing revenue generation rather than the imposition of taxes, fees and burdensome costs of PMS on the general populace.

READ ALSO:Tax reform bills will sink more Nigerians into poverty – CHRICED

Zukirullahi called on the National Assembly to enhance the legal frameworks that government anti-corruption agencies have which he said should involve constitutional integration of agencies, bolstering their operational independence and provision of technical and financial resources to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.

“Concurrently, these agencies must adhere to their mandates, operate with professionalism and transparency, and maintain accountability in their actions,” he said.

“A determined approach to tackling corruption is a far more effective strategy for enhancing revenue generation rather than the imposition of taxes, fees and burdensome costs of PMS on the general populace.

“By addressing the root causes of corruption, the government can unlock significant financial resources that would otherwise be lost to corrupt practices, thereby ensuring sustainable development.”