Business News
Deportation Saga: Intels sues Immigration boss to court
In its bid to stop the deportation of its 102 expatriate staff out of the country, Intels Nigeria Limited has dragged the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Mr. Muhammed Babandede, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1180/2017, Intels otherwise known as the plaintiff told the court that the Immigration boss acted “unreasonably” when he issued a press release on November 15, revoking Residence/Work Permits of its expatriate staff, and further threatened to ensure that they were deported from Nigeria.
Represented by its team of lawyers, led by Mr. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, SAN, Intels further stressed that revocation was premised upon a purported withdrawal of its operational license by the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority.
Intels said that the NIS boss otherwise known as the defendant, had threatened to recommend to the Minister of Interior that its expatriates be deported any day from November 30.
The company added that it will suffer untold hardship and irreparable injury to its business in the event that the NIS is not restrained in the manner sought in this application.
Intels Prayer to the court
- A declaration that the action/decision of the Respondent in revoking or purpotedly revoking the Residence/Work Permits of the underlisted persons, all of which are Expatriate Staff of the Applicant, and consequently directing that the said persons do leave the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not later than the 30th day of November, 2017, or face deportation is unlawful, unconstitutional, wrong and void ab initio.
- A declaration that the Respondent acted ultra vires when he proceeded to issue or authorize/directed the issuance of a Press Release dated 15th day of November, 2017 with reference No. NIS/HQ/PRU/267/V.1 to the effect that the Residence/Work Permits of the persons listed above, all of whom are Expatriate Staff of the Applicant, stand revoked and further issuing a directive that the said persons shall leave the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on or before the 30th day of November, 2017, without first giving the Applicant or the said persons the oppurtunity to be heard.
- A declaration that the failure of the Respondent to communicate with the Applicant or to formerly notify the Applicant of his decision as hereinbefore stated, prior to the revocation or purported revocation of the Residence/Work Permits of the afore-mentioned staff of the Applicant is unlawful and wrong.
- An order of certiorari quashing the decision of the Respondent, as conveyed in the Nigeria Immigration Service Press Release dated 15th Novemver, 2017 with reference
- An order of certiorari quashing the Respondent’s decision to revoke the Residence/Work Permits of the Expatriate Staff of the Applicant as hereinbefore listed, on the grounds that the decision offends against the constitutionally guaranteed right to fair hearing of the Applicant.
- An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondent either acting by himself or through officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, his agents, servants or privies or any other body howsoever otherwise described from instigating, recommending and/or directing the deportation of the Expatriate Staff of the Applicant as listed above, or taking any steps in furtherance of the decision of the Respondent as contained in the Press Release of the NIS with reference No. NIS/HQ/PRU/267/V.1, dated 15th Novemver, 2017.
- An order of interim injunction restraining the Respondent either acting by himself or through officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, his agents, servants or privies or any other body howsoever otherwise described from further interfering with, in whatever manner, or disturbing the lawful resident/work status granted the Expatriate Staff of the Applicant as hereinbefore listed, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice dated 24th November, 2017 and filed alongside this application”. Alternatively, the plaintiff prayed the court for.
- An order of mandatory injunction compelling the Respondent to immediately reverse the revocation of the Residence/Work Permits of the Expatriate Staff of the Applicant as hereinbefore listed and to immediately restore/reissue to the said persons, their Residence/Work Permits.
- And finally, “An order of interim injunction restraining the Respondent, whether acting by himself or through officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, his agents, or any other persons howsoever described from taking any steps towards the deportation of the Expatriate Staff of the Applicant as hereinbefore listed, or in any way or manner, disturbing, harassing and/or issuing directives/directions in respect of the said persons which may in any way or form, prevent or disturb the said persons from the discharge of their duties or contractual obligations to the Applicant and in any way or manner disturbing or inhibiting the free movement of the said persons within the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice dated the 24th of November, 2017 and filed alongside this application.
Hearing of the matter was stalled on Monday because legal representative of the NIS boss was absent in court.
The case was presided over by Justice Ahmed Mohammed.
Business News
Global oil market to re-balance in 2 months’ time
In the meantime, OPEC+ wants to keep the existing production output cuts beyond the June expiry date as part of efforts to rebalance the market. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iraq, have all reaffirmed their commitment to this effect.
With the uncertainty that still prevails in the global oil market due to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic, analysts have been coming up with different forecasts on the future of the market. The latest forecast is that the market will most likely recover by July 2020.
Crude oil prices and oil demand plunged over the past few months as a result of the pandemic. However, with the lifting of global lockdowns and gradual reopening of global economies, oil prices are expected to rebound. Russia’s energy minister, Alexander Novak, said the global oil supply and the oil demand will most likely rebalance by July.
In the meantime, OPEC+ wants to keep the existing production output cuts beyond the June expiry date as part of efforts to rebalance the market. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iraq, have all reaffirmed their commitment to this effect.
In his analysis earlier today, OPEC’s Secretary-General, Mohammed Barkindo, urged OPEC+ members not to flout the output cut. According to him, OPEC+ members must remain committed to production cuts despite signs that oil demand is beginning to recover.
(READ MORE: Oil price gains likely to halt over demand uncertainty, as US-China tension intensifies)
On its part, Russia had agreed to cut down its oil production to 8.5 million barrels of crude per day in May and June, down from 10.5 million barrels. There is a possibility that the country could extend the current level of output cut beyond June, a situation that is expected to serve as a major boost in the rebalancing of the oil market.
Last week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said that it had seen signs that the oil market would rebalance quicker than originally expected after the United States and OPEC implemented the agreed output cut. The development came as a big relief to Nigeria because the rebound of oil prices and the rebalancing forecast will help reduce the country’s fiscal pressure and boost its revenue.
Note that the Brent crude and Bonny light crude sold for about $36 per barrel and over $33 per barrel respectively. These are above the revised budget oil benchmark of $25 per barrel for the 2020 budget.
Business
LIRS further extends deadline for filing annual tax returns by one month
“We constantly debated what other measures could be taken as an organization to support individuals and businesses at this time, hence, the additional one-month extension from June 1, to June 30, 2020.” – Ayodele Subair
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has again extended the deadline for filing of Annual Tax Returns from May 31 2020 to June 30, 2020.
This is part of the state government’s effort to provide relief to taxpayers in light of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. With this development, annual returns for individuals, both employees and self-employed persons, can be filed anytime before June 30, 2020.
In a press release signed by Monsurat Amasa, the head of LIRS’ Corporate Communications Department, the agency urged taxpayers to take advantage of the magnanimity of the government and file their returns. The LIRS’ Executive Chairman, Mr. Ayodele Subair, explained the extension thus:
“As the Lagos State Government keeps abreast of global best practices in containing the Covid-19 pandemic and eases the effects of an economic downturn on taxpayers and residents of the State, LIRS had initially extended the deadline for filing annual tax returns for two months, from the statutory March 31st of every fiscal year to May 31, 2020.
“We constantly debated what other measures could be taken as an organization to support individuals and businesses at this time, hence, the additional one-month extension from June 1, to June 30, 2020.”
(READ MORE: COVID-19: Lagos issues new guidelines, considers full reopening of economy)
He further explained that taxpayers can file the annual returns from the comfort of their homes and offices using the LIRS eTax platforms. They can also generate assessment and payment schedule, and other tax administration matters on the same platform. Updates on business operations and alternative payment platforms are to be found on the verified handles, and the LIRS website.
Join Adetayo Adesola, Lawretta Egba and Emmanuel Abara as they dicuss what sectors and industries will succeed and fail in a covid-19 world.
Listen to more podcasts
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:06 — 19.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS
