The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Federal Government to halt the implementation of the new tax laws until public confidence is fully restored, citing concerns over alleged irregularities that question the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process.
NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, highlighted the need for a thorough and transparent investigation following claims that discrepancies exist between the versions of the Tax Reform Acts passed by the National Assembly and those subsequently gazetted and made public.
“These developments strike at the very heart of constitutional governance. It is imperative that a comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation be conducted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the enactment of the laws and restore public confidence in the legislative process,” the NBA said. “Until these issues are fully examined, all plans for implementation should be immediately suspended.”
The controversy began when Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) raised a matter of privilege in the House of Representatives, alleging unauthorized alterations to the laws after their passage. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also demanded an immediate suspension, describing the changes as a “brazen act of treason against the Nigerian people” and accusing the executive of prioritising revenue collection over citizens’ welfare.
Despite the debate, the National Assembly continued with its legislative calendar over the Christmas and New Year period, approving the 2024 and 2025 budgets of ₦43.561 trillion and ₦48.316 trillion respectively, and extending the 2025 Appropriation Bill to March 31, 2026. Meanwhile, the ₦58 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill progressed to its second reading in the Senate.
The NBA stressed that legal and policy uncertainty of this magnitude threatens economic stability, investor confidence, and the rule of law, calling for processes that are transparent, accountable, and beyond reproach to safeguard Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
