National Assembly Orders Release Of Certified Copies Of Tax Laws Amid Controversy

The National Assembly has directed that certified true copies of the newly enacted Tax Reform Acts be made available to stakeholders and members of the public upon request.

According to a statement released on Friday by the Senate’s Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, the directive comes amid claims that certain provisions of the tax laws were altered after legislative approval and presidential assent.

The statement confirmed that the National Assembly leadership has commenced an internal review of these claims, which question whether the bills passed by both chambers were accurately reflected in the versions published in the Official Gazette.

“The leadership and management of the National Assembly are addressing these matters strictly within their constitutional and statutory mandate,” the statement said.

The review will focus on the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.

To ensure transparency, the National Assembly has instructed the Clerk to collaborate with relevant agencies to publish the Acts in the Official Gazette and provide certified true copies to any requesting stakeholder or member of the public. “This administrative action is intended solely to authenticate and formally reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly,” the statement added.

The National Assembly clarified that the review does not indicate any defect or irregularity in the exercise of its legislative authority. “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,” it said.

Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism, separation of powers, and due process, the National Assembly stated that any procedural lapses discovered would be handled within the law.

The directive follows calls by Senator Ali Ndume and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the disputed tax laws scheduled to take effect in January 2026. Ndume urged a delay to allow for proper verification, while NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, warned that the controversy could undermine trust in Nigeria’s legislative process.

Last week, House of Representatives member Abdussamad Dasuki raised concerns that the version of the laws gazetted differed from those passed and sent to the President. Civil society groups and opposition politicians have since demanded clarity on when and how the alleged alterations occurred.

Despite mounting concerns, the National Assembly urged Nigerians to remain calm and allow the legislative process to run its full course. “The leadership of both Chambers remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility,” the statement concluded.