The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has halted the Rivers State government from collectting Value Added Taxes, VAT, until all legal disputes relating to the matter are resolved.
The court ordered stay of execution of the judgment of the River State High Court from which the State drew authorities to collect the tax.
Justice Haruna Tsanami who issued the order in Abuja also directed that the law passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and assented to by Governor Nyesom Wike should not be implemented.
The appellate court held that since parties had submitted themselves to the authorities of the court for adjudication of the matter, they must not do anything that could destroy the subject matter of the appeal.
Justice Tsanami granted status quo ante in favour of the Federal Inland Revenue Services FIRS and against the respondents.
The matter has been adjourned until September 16 for hearing of motion for joinder by Lagos State.
RADIO NIGERIA