N’Assembly begins internal review of disputed tax laws

File photo: The National Assembly

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The National Assembly has initiated an internal investigation into allegations that certain provisions of the recently passed tax reform laws were altered after approval by lawmakers and presidential assent.

The move followed growing public controversy over the legislative process that led to the passage, assent and gazetting of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Director of Information for the Senate, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah.

According to the statement, concerns had been raised in the public space over the harmonisation of the bills passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, the assent granted by the President, and the versions of the Acts subsequently published in the Official Gazette.

“The Leadership and management of the National Assembly are addressing these matters strictly within its constitutional and statutory mandate,” the statement said.

It added that the relevant committees of the National Assembly, working with its management, had commenced an internal review to clarify the issues raised.

“Accordingly, the relevant Committees, in collaboration with the Management of the National Assembly, are conducting an internal review,” it stated.

The Senate noted that the exercise was being carried out in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts Authentication Act, Cap. A4, LFN 2004, the Standing Orders of both chambers, and established parliamentary practice.

As part of the process, the leadership directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to work with relevant agencies to ensure the proper publication of the Acts and the issuance of certified true copies to stakeholders and members of the public on request.

“In the course of this review, and for the purpose of ensuring clarity, accuracy, and sanctity of the legislative record, the Leadership has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to facilitate, in collaboration with the relevant agencies, the publication of the Acts in the Official Gazette and to issue certified true copies of the assented Acts on demand to any stakeholder or the general public,” the statement read.

The National Assembly stressed that the action was administrative and intended only to authenticate and formally reflect legislative decisions already taken.

“This administrative action is intended solely to authenticate and formally reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly,” it added.

The leadership further clarified that the review did not imply any defect in the exercise of legislative powers by either chamber, nor did it encroach on the responsibilities of other arms of government.

“The review is confined to institutional processes and procedures and does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by either Chamber,” the statement said.

It reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to constitutionalism, separation of powers and due process, assuring that any procedural or administrative lapses discovered would be addressed in line with the law.

Members of the public were urged to allow the internal processes of the legislature to run their course without speculation or interference.

“The leadership of both Chambers remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as the custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement added.

The development came two days after a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the disputed tax reform laws, which are scheduled to take effect in January.

Ndume made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, amid claims and counterclaims that the tax laws were altered after being passed by the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee investigating alleged discrepancies in Nigeria’s gazetted tax laws pledged to submit its report as soon as its work is concluded.

The Chairman of the Committee, Muktar Betara, gave the assurance on Wednesday following the inaugural meeting of the panel, which was held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly, on Friday, directed its Clerk to re-gazette the nation’s tax laws and issue Certified True Copies of the versions passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, following allegations of alterations to the laws.

The decision was disclosed in a statement released in Abuja by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi.

His appeal followed protests by opposition politicians and civil society organisations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, calling on the Federal Government to halt the implementation of the laws.

On Tuesday, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned that the controversy surrounding the tax reforms could undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process.

Osigwe said the issues struck at the heart of constitutional governance and called for an open and transparent investigation to restore public confidence.

The controversy was further heightened last week when a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, alleged that the version of the tax laws published in the Official Gazette differed from the final copies passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the President for assent.

The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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