The Lagos State Government has convened a landmark Revenue Recovery Summit, aimed at accelerating the resolution of revenue-related cases in the courts.
The summit, themed “Speedy Dispensation of Revenue Cases in Court,” was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, and brought together key stakeholders in the justice and revenue sectors.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, who was represented by Justice Hakeem Oshodi, restated the judiciary’s commitment to improving judicial efficiency.
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He announced that specialised judges would be assigned to handle revenue cases, supported by the integration of modern technology to streamline the process.
“Justice delayed is indeed revenue denied,” Justice Alogba declared, assuring that the judiciary would continue to work closely with revenue-generating agencies and the Ministry of Justice to ensure prompt case resolution.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, delivered the keynote address, stressing the importance of timely revenue recovery for the effective delivery of public services in areas such as health, education, security, and infrastructure.
Pedro warned that when revenue cases are trapped in lengthy legal processes, it is ordinary citizens who ultimately bear the cost.
He highlighted several state initiatives to fast-track revenue disputes, including the establishment of the Commercial Courts Complex in Tapa, now serving as the Revenue Court, and the creation of a Revenue Recovery Unit within the Ministry of Justice.
He pointed to enabling legal frameworks like the Lagos State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and the Tax Administration Act 2025, which support the swift and transparent handling of outstanding revenue matters.
“The government’s policy is clear: all revenue cases must be heard and determined speedily. Delay in revenue cases is a delay in governance,” Pedro said, urging the judiciary, tax authorities, and legal practitioners to adopt case management strategies that ensure a fast and accountable system.
In his welcome remarks, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Hameed Oyenuga, described the summit as a call to collective action.
He emphasised that delays in revenue adjudication compromise the government’s ability to deliver essential services to the people.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Ayodele Subair, represented by the Director of Legal Services, Seyi Alade, lamented the slow pace of revenue litigation.
He noted that protracted cases hamper effective revenue administration and discourage voluntary tax compliance.
Alade commended the Ministry of Justice for organising the summit and called for specialist training for revenue judges, enforcement of strict litigation timelines, and the establishment of a Revenue Justice Working Group.
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He highlighted recent LIRS reforms, including the deployment of the e-Tax platform, advanced tax intelligence systems, and improved enforcement measures.
“Justice delayed in revenue matters is not only justice denied, but development deferred,” Mr Alade said.
The summit was attended by senior judicial officers, government officials, legislators, and legal practitioners, including Justices Jumoke Pedro, Yhaqub Oshoala, and Anjorin-Ajose; Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Femi Saheed; former Attorney General of Lagos State and current Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ade Ipaye, and other stakeholders.
