The House of Representatives has begun an investigation into alleged discrepancies between tax laws passed by the National Assembly and versions later gazetted and circulated. The seven-member committee handling the probe has pledged to complete its work promptly and submit its report to the House once concluded.
The investigation follows concerns raised over inconsistencies between approved tax legislation and officially published copies, with lawmakers warning that any post-passage alterations would undermine legislative procedure and the rule of law. The committee says its findings and recommendations will be presented to the House immediately after the probe.
The scrutiny comes amid heightened public attention on Nigeria’s tax laws, especially those amended through recent Finance Acts affecting major fiscal statutes. Lawmakers say the allegations raise serious questions about the integrity of the legislative process, the authenticity of laws being enforced, and possible legal consequences for taxpayers.
The House has stressed that only laws duly passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President have legal force, warning that any changes made outside this process threaten constitutional governance. The committee is expected to determine whether discrepancies exist, how they occurred, and who may be responsible, while proposing safeguards to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the disputed Tax Reform Acts scheduled to take effect in January. He called for the setting up of an ad hoc committee to verify the authenticity of the laws and investigate the alleged alterations, warning that proceeding amid unresolved controversy could undermine public trust.
Ndume said the President should halt implementation until the issues are resolved, noting that opposition politicians, civil society groups, and professional bodies have raised concerns over the integrity of the laws. He warned that failure to address the allegations could render the laws difficult to enforce.
The controversy intensified after claims that the versions of the tax laws gazetted by the government differed from the final copies passed by the National Assembly and forwarded for presidential assent. Legal and civil society groups have since called for an open and transparent investigation to restore confidence in the legislative process.
