Ablakwa, Haruna Iddrisu failed to prove irregularities in approval of e-levy – Dame

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers who filed the injunction application against the e-levy at the Supreme Court failed to prove that there were irregularities in the approval of the e-levy by Parliament.

He said there were no irregularities in the approval as available records in Parliament indicated that there were the required number of MPs present when the House endorsed the e-levy.

“You do not go to court with speculations and conjecture, you go to court on firm evidence….The applicants were unable to demonstrate any form of irregularity,” he told journalists in Accra after the Supreme Court dismissed the application against the e-levy.

On Wednesday May 4, the Highest Court of the land dismissed the application filed against the e-levy.

In a unanimous decision, Presiding Judge Nene Amegatcher noted that the nature of the relief sought by the minority is null and void. The court further directed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to keep all records of deductions following the implementation of the electronic transaction levy.

The controversial levy started on Sunday May 1 amidst public outcry.

The NDC heavily opposed the introduction of the levy.

In their view, it is punitive and amounts to double taxation. The bill was passed by Parliament on Tuesday March 29 after the Minority staged a walkout.

They walked out after their leader Haruna Iddrisu said the NDC MPs remained united in opposing the policy.

On Tuesday April 19 they filed an application at the apex court to block the commencement of the e-levy deductions. But the the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) went ahead to start implementation of the Policy on Sunday May 1.

The NDC MPs, while filed the injunction application were Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu and Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana