How ICAN/CITN Settlement Affects Members’ Right to Practice Taxation.

Recently the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) brokered an out of court settlement of the rift between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) over who is authorized to regulate taxation practice in the country. APBN moderated a mediation process which led to the signing of a Terms of Settlement (ToS) and subsequently the withdrawal of the case at the Supreme Court. The ToS was signed by President of ICAN Mr. Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu, and CITN President Chief (Dr) Mark Anthony Dike on behalf of their respective Institutes on March 10, in Lagos.

Highlights of the Reconciliation

ICAN will rescind its earlier directive or resolution barring its members from joining CITN. This means ICAN members are now free to join CITN.

All members of ICAN who hold the licence to practice are to be granted direct membership of CITN, with full rights to practise taxation by completing CITN membership form only.

Members of ICAN without licence to practise, who desire to practise taxation are to be granted direct membership of CITN with full rights to practise taxation after fulfilling membership requirements but such candidates need to apply for and obtain CITN practice licence as applicable to other members before they can practise taxation provided such ICAN members do not need to sit for qualifying examination as a condition.

Those who resigned their membership of CITN on the directive of ICAN, should make a written application for reinstatement to their old membership status and pay the subscription for 2015 only if they apply within six calendar months from the execution of the terms of settlement, otherwise they will pay a maximum of two years’ accrued subscriptions.

The Terms of Settlement has already been entered as the Judgment of the Supreme Court in the Suit (No. SC/492/2013) and the case now formally closed at the apex Court.

Significance of the Settlement
ICAN members who so desire can practice taxation, but they should get a practice licence from CITN without writing any examination.