Mr. A. N. Obo for t he prosecu t ion submitt ed t hat th is
co urt has the requisite ju risdict ion t o ent ertai n the
charge
becau se
the
defenda nts
we re
a;rrested
committing an offence on the Federa l High Wa y in the
name of collecting illegal ta xes and levi es on behalf of
the Federal Government. Counsel referred to section
1(1)(2) of the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for
Collection) Act CapT2 LFN 2004 .
Counsel submitted that the Federal Government
collects taxes on federal roads, while State and Local
Governments
collect
taxes
on
State
and
Local
Government roads, respectively; that where an · offence
is committed on the Federal High Way · in respect of
collection
of
revenue
on
behalf
of
the
Federal
Government, the case will be charged at the Federal High
Court.
Learned
counsel
further
referred
to
section
251(1)(a)(b) & (3) of the constitution and submitted that
the offence bordered on the collection of the re venue of
the Federal Government; that the Act under which the
defendants are charged do not oust the jurisdiction of
t he Fede ral High Court to try the said offence .
5