Reps Investigating Alleged Alterations To Tax Laws – Spokesman

The House of Representatives has assured members of the public that the alleged alterations to the tax reform laws passed by the National Assembly is being investigated.

The House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, who dropped the hint in a statement on Friday, said the investigation is being handled by a seven-member ad hoc committee set up by the leadership of the House.

The statement said in part, “Recent public commentary has focused on the legislative process relating to the passage, presidential assent, and publication in the Official Gazette of the Federal Government of the following Acts: 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 commentary has raised issues concerning the harmonisation of Bills passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the documentation transmitted for presidential assent, and the versions of the Acts subsequently published in the Official Gazette.

“The House of Representatives wishes to assure the public that these matters are being addressed strictly within the constitutional and statutory remit of the National Assembly. Only last week, the House constituted a seven-man Ad Hoc Committee on the matter after an Honourable Member raised it under a Point of Order (Privileges).

“The Ad Hoc Committee, alongside other relevant Committees of the National Assembly, working in collaboration with the Management of the National Assembly, is undertaking an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and to identify any factors that may have contributed to the circumstances surrounding the legislative and administrative handling of the Acts.”

Rotimi said the investigation includes a careful examination of any lapses, irregularities, or external interferences, should any be established.

He added that the review is being conducted in full conformity with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts Authentication Act, Cap. A4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, the Standing Orders of both Chambers, and established parliamentary practice.

“In the course of this review, and in the interest of clarity, accuracy, and the integrity of the legislative record, the leadership of the National Assembly, under the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to re-gazette the Acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions duly passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly.

“This administrative step is intended solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly.”

The spokesman however, clarified that the review is strictly confined to institutional processes and procedures, stressing that it does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Continuing, he said, “It is undertaken without prejudice to the powers, functions, or actions of any other arm or agency of government, and without prejudice to any rights, obligations, or legal processes arising under the Constitution or any other applicable law.

“The House of Representatives, under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, remains firmly committed to the principles of constitutionalism, separation of powers, due process, and the supremacy of the rule of law.

“Where procedural or administrative refinements are identified, appropriate corrective measures will be taken in accordance with the law and established parliamentary conventions.”

He pleaded with members of the public to allow the National Assembly’s institutional processes to proceed without speculation or conjecture.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the leadership of the House to transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

There have been public outcry over the alleged alterations of the tax laws passed by the legislature and assented to by President Bola Tinubu.

The army of critics, including leaders of opposition parties, have called for the suspension of the laws, which are billed to take effect from January 1, 2026.