UPDATED: Lawmakers claim tax laws altered, warn of constitutional breach
Lawmakers Allege Post-Passage Alteration of Tinubu’s Tax Reform Laws, Raise Constitutional Concerns
A group of concerned lawmakers in Nigeria’s House of Representatives has alleged that key tax reform laws passed by the National Assembly and later signed by President Bola Tinubu were altered after legislative approval, raising serious constitutional and legal concerns.
The lawmakers claimed that the versions of the tax laws currently being circulated by the Federal Ministry of Information differ significantly from the harmonised bills passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, making the gazetted Acts constitutionally defective and legally vulnerable.
Allegations Raised During Plenary
The issue was brought to the floor of the House on Wednesday by a lawmaker from Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, under a matter of privilege. He drew attention to what he described as glaring discrepancies between the versions approved by lawmakers and the final copies published by the Federal Government.
According to Dasuki, his parliamentary privilege was breached because laws he voted for were allegedly altered without legislative consent after passage.
“What was passed on this floor is not what is gazetted. I gave my vote, and I’m seeing something completely different,” Dasuki told the House.
Forensic Review Reveals Substantive Changes
A detailed report compiled by the concerned lawmakers, and obtained by www.cjsoftflix.com, alleged that the changes could not be dismissed as clerical or editorial errors.
The report stated that a Select Committee on Post-Passage Alterations was constituted to investigate the matter. Its findings reportedly established that several provisions were inserted, deleted, or modified after the bills were passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
- Removal of parliamentary oversight, accountability, and reporting mechanisms approved by lawmakers
- Insertion of new coercive and fiscal powers without legislative approval
- Introduction of arrest powers and garnishment without court orders
- Compulsory USD computation and appeal security deposits not passed by parliament
The lawmakers stressed that these changes were substantive and unconstitutional, noting that Sections 4 and 58 of the 1999 Constitution vest law-making powers exclusively in the National Assembly.
“Executive Has No Power to Alter Bills” — Lawmakers
The report argued that the executive arm of government lacks the constitutional authority to amend any bill after its passage by the legislature.
“Any post-passage alteration is ultra vires, unconstitutional, and void to the extent of the alteration,” the lawmakers warned, adding that affected provisions could be struck down by the courts, leading to legal and fiscal uncertainty.
Legal Risks and Investor Confidence at Stake
The lawmakers further cautioned that failure to address the alleged alterations could expose Nigeria to significant litigation risks, weaken parliamentary integrity, and erode investor confidence in the country’s regulatory framework.
They noted that the committee relied on several annexures, including forensic comparisons of certified bills and gazetted Acts, independent legal opinions, and section-by-section analyses of the affected tax laws.
Key Recommendations by the Lawmakers
- Immediate legislative review of all allegedly altered provisions
- Rectification or re-enactment of affected sections through proper parliamentary process
- Summoning officials responsible for the alleged alterations under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution
Speaker Abbas Responds
Responding to the allegations, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, assured lawmakers that the House leadership would investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action in the national interest.
Background on the Tax Reform Laws
The disputed legislation forms part of President Tinubu’s wide-ranging tax reform agenda, aimed at boosting revenue, widening the tax base, strengthening enforcement, and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on borrowing.
The reforms include:
- Nigeria Tax Administration Act
- Nigeria Revenue Service Act
- Amendments to the Joint Revenue Board framework
The laws were passed in 2025 amid declining government revenue, rising debt servicing costs, and fiscal pressures following fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
Fresh Concerns Ahead of 2026 Implementation
With the new tax regime scheduled to take effect in January 2026, the controversy has reignited debates around legislative oversight, constitutional compliance, and the integrity of Nigeria’s law-making process.
As the House moves to investigate the claims, Nigerians and investors alike will be watching closely to see how the matter is resolved. Stay with www.cjsoftflix.com for timely updates and in-depth coverage of Nigeria’s political and economic developments.
