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Directs Release of Certified Tax Laws, Launches Probe
Abuja — The National Assembly has directed that Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts be made available to stakeholders and members of the public upon request, as concerns grow over alleged alterations to the laws after their passage.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Director of Information for the Senate, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah. The statement also confirmed that the legislature has commenced an internal investigation into claims that certain provisions of the tax laws were modified note after approval by lawmakers and presidential assent.
Tax Laws Under Review
The Acts in question include:
- Nigeria Tax Act, 2025
- Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025
- Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025
- Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025
According to the statement, public concerns have been raised regarding discrepancies between the bills passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, the versions assented to by the President, and those later published in the Official Gazette.
Internal Review Begins
“The leadership and management of the National Assembly are addressing these matters strictly within their constitutional and statutory mandate,” the statement said.
It added that relevant committees of the National Assembly, working in collaboration with its management, have begun an internal review to clarify the issues raised.
The Senate explained that the process is being conducted in line with:
- The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)
- The Acts Authentication Act, Cap. A4, LFN 2004
- The Standing Orders of both chambers
- Established parliamentary practice
Certified Copies to Be Issued on Demand
To ensure transparency and preserve the integrity of the legislative record, the leadership has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to:
- Facilitate the publication of the assented Acts in the Official Gazette, in collaboration with relevant agencies; and
- Issue Certified True Copies of the laws to any stakeholder or member of the public upon request.
The National Assembly stressed that this move is strictly administrative and aimed solely at authenticating and formally reflecting legislative decisions already taken.
No Defect in Legislative Authority
The leadership clarified that the review does not suggest any flaw in the exercise of legislative powers by either chamber, nor does it infringe 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 noted.
It reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to constitutionalism, separation of powers, transparency, and due process, assuring that any procedural or administrative lapses identified would be addressed in accordance with the law.
Members of the public were also urged to refrain from speculation and allow the legislative process to run its course.
Background to the Controversy
The development comes amid growing calls for the suspension of the Tax Reform Acts, which are scheduled to take effect in January.
On Wednesday, a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, urged President Bola Tinubu to halt the implementation of the laws pending clarification, citing conflicting claims that the Acts were altered after being passed by the National Assembly.
Opposition politicians and civil society organisations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have also called on the Federal Government to suspend the reforms.
Earlier in the week, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe warned that the controversy could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s legislative process, describing the matter as one that strikes at the core of constitutional governance.
The situation escalated further after a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, alleged that the versions of the tax laws published in the Official Gazette differed from the final copies approved by the National Assembly and forwarded to the President for assent.
