Omtatah Goes to Court to Challenge the Finance Law

Four other activists, including activist Okiya Omtatah, have filed a lawsuit opposing the proposed Finance Bill 2023.

They contend in the petition that if the bill is passed, the high prices of vital goods that will result will put at risk socioeconomic rights and human dignity.

The court “be pleased to issue orders suspending debate on sections 28, 30, 33, 36 and 76 of the Finance Bill 2023 pending hearing and determination,” according to court documents.

They have pleaded with the court to grant an interim injunction preventing the speaker of the National Assembly from delivering the Finance Bill 2023 to the president if it contains the contested provisions.According to their argument, “Section 76 threatens socio-economic rights to the extent that, if passed into law, the fund will require a 3% reduction in basic pay for employees and a 3% contribution from employers, thereby reducing workers’ purchasing power while it increases business operating costs.”

They contend that the suggested strategy is coercive and restricts people’s alternatives when deciding on their housing arrangements or how to use their property.

Court documents claim that Section 76 of the bill, which would require civil officials to engage in an obligatory tax scheme disguising it as a means of facilitating the purchase of real estate, poses a threat to the freedom to own property.By proposing a formula that cannot guarantee a dwelling to any person subscribing to the so-called housing fund, section 76, according to court documents, “threatens to subject taxpayers in formal employment to unreasonable administrative action contrary to the law.”