Rep caucus sets up panel to probe ‘altered’ tax laws

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has set up a seven-member fact-finding committee to investigate allegations that forged versions of the assented tax laws were unlawfully gazetted by ‘elements within the Executive arm of government.’

The decision was announced in Abuja following consultations with stakeholders over the controversy surrounding alleged post-passage alterations to the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement jointly signed by the Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda and other leaders of the minority, the opposition lawmakers expressed concern over what they described as the Executive’s insistence on implementing the tax laws from January 1, 2026, despite unresolved questions over their authenticity.

The Minority Caucus said the committee was constituted to enable an independent and non-partisan investigation into the matter in the interest of Nigerians.

The fact-finding panel is chaired by Rep. Afam Ogene, while other members are Reps. Gaza Gbefwi Jonathan, MB Shehu Fagge, Aliyu Garu, Stanley Adedeji, Ibe Okwara and Marie Ibikake.

According to the statement, the committee is mandated to obtain copies of the tax laws as passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and assented to by the President, secure the Federal Government Gazette containing the versions alleged to be forged, and scrutinise the documents to determine whether the laws signed by the President are the same as those gazetted by the appropriate government agency.

The committee will also recommend to the Minority Caucus possible actions to be taken should any infractions be established.

The caucus said the committee has seven days to conclude its assignment and submit its report to the leadership.

Reaffirming its role as the opposition bloc in the House, the Minority Caucus said the move was aimed at safeguarding the interests of Nigerians and ensuring transparency in the legislative process.

“This step we have taken is one of the ways we are using to get to the root of this controversy that has overheated our polity,” the statement said, adding that the caucus remained determined to ensure that citizens, particularly the poor and vulnerable, are not short-changed.

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