Tax Reform Acts: Lawmakers pledge speedy probe of alleged discrepancies 

...as Ndume urges Tinubu to suspend tax laws

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating alleged discrepancies in the gazetted Tax Reform Acts has pledged speedy and meticulous appraisals of the Acts to ensure quick reconciliation of the grey areas.

Chairman of the committee, Rep. Aliyu Betara (APC-Borno), made the pledge in a statement issued after the inaugural meeting of the committee in Abuja.

He said that the committee had resolved to conclude its assignment and submit its report to the house within the shortest possible time for further legislative actions.

Betara explained that a member of the house had raised a motion of personal explanation where it was observed that there were inconsistencies between the laws passed by the National Assembly and the gazetted versions.

According to him, the investigation seeks to uphold legislative integrity, ensure due process and maintain public confidence in the lawmaking process.

The lawmaker reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to transparency and thoroughness, saying that its findings and recommendations would be presented promptly to the house upon the conclusion of the investigation.

He said that the aim was to ensure clarity, accuracy and full conformity between legislations duly passed by the national assembly and the gazetted tax reforms, in line with constitutional provisions and established legislative standards. 

Also reacting, Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately halt the implementation of the newly approved tax laws and order an investigation into allegations that the legislation was altered after passage by the National Assembly.

According to the Senator representing Borno South, the controversy surrounding the laws could undermine public confidence if left unresolved. 

He urged the President to constitute a small independent committee to verify whether the version of the laws currently in circulation is consistent with what lawmakers approved.

Ndume warned that proceeding with implementation while questions remain unanswered would raise serious legitimacy issues and further fuel public distrust in the legislative process.

He stressed that suspending the laws would allow room for a transparent review of the allegations, particularly claims that the gazetted version differed from the final document transmitted to the President for assent.

The Lawmaker noted that several groups, including civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association and northern interest groups, have demanded that the Federal Government withdraw the tax laws pending a thorough investigation into the alleged alterations.

Ndume added that addressing the matter promptly would help prevent a prolonged crisis, insisting that governance must be anchored on laws whose authenticity is beyond doubt.

The controversy intensified last week after a member of the House of Representatives alleged that the tax laws published by the Federal Government were not identical to those passed by the National Assembly.