The National Assembly has ordered a re-gazette of assented tax reforms over unapproved alterations to align with the version harmonised and passed by lawmakers.
The announcement on Friday effectively confirmed a recent allegation by Abdusammad Dasuki, a lawmaker from Sokoto, that President Bola Tinubu had altered the law as passed by the National Assembly, sending the forged version to the printing department for gazetting in the National Archives.
“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, PhD, GCON, 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,” said a statement by the House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Alabi, on Friday.
The order came after a grave allegation raised by Mr Dasuki that the language of the four gazetted tax acts differed from what was originally passed by the Green Chamber, describing the move as a breach of his legislative privilege.
Lawmakers raised the alarm last week after observing some controversial sections in the gazetted law that they said were never part of the legislation passed by the two chambers and transmitted to the president for assent in June.
For instance, lawmakers said a court order would be required for tax agents to seize or sell assets of Nigerians over tax debts. But the gazetted version published by Mr Tinubu’s administration expunged that constitutional safeguard, saying instead that a court cannot review any administrative decision of the tax office around asset seizures.
Mr Abbas promised to investigate the allegations, while Mr Akpabio ordered the House clerk to hide certified true copies of the tax reform bill sent to Mr Tinubu for assent and subsequently signed into law.
Among the alterations discovered was that, while the lawmakers prescribed investigation for suspected tax offenders, the gazetted version allows authorities to use law enforcement agencies, such as the police, to arrest suspects.
The implication was that suspected offenders can now be arrested and detained for the period of their investigation.
Another contention was that the gazetted tax law mandates individuals and entities seeking to appeal any tax penalty to first pay 20 per cent of the disputed amount before their arguments can be heard.
The Nigerian Bar Association and civil society groups have demanded the suspension of the investigation into alleged discrepancies pending its outcome.
A political party, the Peoples Redemption Party, penultimate Monday urged the federal lawmakers to commence impeachment proceedings against Mr Tinubu if probe confirmed that the passed tax law was altered in the gazetted version.
Read the full press release from House spokesman below:
House of Representatives, National Assembly
Office of the House Spokesman
PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
Position of the House on Issues Surrounding the Tax Reform Laws
Abuja, FCT | Friday, December 26, 2025 – 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.
This includes a careful examination of any lapses, irregularities, or external interferences, should any be established.
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, PhD, GCON, 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.
This review is strictly confined to institutional processes and procedures. It does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by the House of Representatives or the Senate. 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, PhD, GCON, 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.
Members of the public are respectfully urged to allow the National Assembly’s institutional processes to proceed without speculation or conjecture. The leadership of the House of Representatives remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Further information will be provided as may be necessary.
Signed:
Rep. Akin Rotimi, mnipr
House Spokesman / Chairman,
House Committee on Media and Public Affairs
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