THE House of Representatives has commenced a formal investigation into allegations of discrepancies between tax laws passed by the National Assembly and versions subsequently gazetted and circulated by government authorities, pledging to submit its findings to the House without delay.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Chairman of the investigative committee, Muktar Betara, gave the assurance on Wednesday following the panel’s inaugural meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Betara chairs the seven-member ad hoc committee constituted by the House after lawmakers adopted a matter of privilege raised two weeks ago by Abdussamad Dasuki, a member representing Sokoto State.
Dasuki had alerted the Green Chamber to what he described as serious inconsistencies between tax laws duly passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted and circulated, including copies found within government offices.
He alleged that some provisions in the gazetted laws materially differ from what lawmakers approved, warning that any post-passage alterations would amount to a breach of legislative procedure, constitutional order, and the rule of law.
In a statement issued by the committee’s media unit on Wednesday, Betara said members were united in their resolve to complete the assignment swiftly.
“The committee has resolved to conclude its assignment and submit its report to the House within the shortest possible time. Members resolved to conclude the investigation and report back to the House within the shortest time for legislative integrity, due process, and public confidence,” the statement quoted Betara as saying.
He assured Nigerians that the committee would conduct its work with openness, diligence, and impartiality, adding that its findings and recommendations would be laid before the House immediately upon completion.
The investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s tax reform framework, particularly laws amended or introduced through recent Finance Acts.
Over the years, Finance Acts have been used to amend multiple fiscal statutes, including the:
Companies Income Tax Act
Value Added Tax Act
Customs and Excise Tariff laws
Lawmakers say the alleged discrepancies raise serious concerns about:
The integrity of the legislative process
The authenticity of laws being enforced by executive agencies
The House has reiterated that only laws duly passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President can have legal force, warning that any alterations outside this process would undermine constitutional governance.
The committee is expected to determine:
Whether discrepancies actually exist
How they occurred
Who may be responsible
Measures needed to prevent a recurrence
Ndume Calls for Suspension of Tax Laws
Meanwhile, former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the disputed Tax Reform Acts, which are scheduled to take effect in January, pending the outcome of investigations.
Ndume made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, citing the growing controversy surrounding the laws’ passage and alleged post-legislative alterations.
The senator representing Borno South Senatorial District called on the President to constitute an ad hoc verification committee to independently examine the authenticity of the laws.
“With the controversy surrounding it, the President should constitute a team to verify the veracity of the claim and act accordingly,” Ndume said.
He warned that implementing the laws without resolving the allegations would create legitimacy challenges and erode public trust.
“If not, the controversy will continue. That is to say, the tax law will not be implemented, because you can’t build on nothing,” he said.
Ndume cited opposition from civil society groups, regional organisations, and professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), urging the President to suspend implementation until the matter is conclusively resolved.
On Tuesday, NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned that the controversy threatens the credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process and strikes at the heart of constitutional governance.
Osigwe called for an open and transparent investigation to restore public confidence in the lawmaking process.