House of Representatives Panel Confirms Unauthorized Alterations in Gazetted Tax Laws
The minority caucus of Nigeria's House of Representatives has officially confirmed that several recently gazetted tax laws were illegally altered after being passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu. This revelation has sparked significant controversy regarding the integrity of Nigeria's legislative process and the implementation of tax reforms.
Investigation Uncovers Discrepancies in Tax Legislation
According to an interim report from the minority caucus ad-hoc Committee on Tax Laws, established specifically to investigate these allegations, there are clear discrepancies between the tax reform Acts passed by the legislature and the versions published in the official gazette. The committee's findings, reported by Daily Trust on Friday, January 23, 2026, highlight serious concerns about procedural violations in the publication of these crucial laws.
The controversy first emerged when House member Abdulsamad Dasuki, representing the Peoples Democratic Party from Sokoto State, raised an alarm on the floor of the chamber. Dasuki pointed out significant differences between the circulated gazetted tax laws and the version that had been properly passed by the National Assembly, prompting immediate investigation by legislative authorities.
Media Outlets Report on Legislative Controversy
Multiple media organizations have covered this developing story, with AIT also noting the significant development in Nigeria's political landscape. The unauthorized alterations have generated public outrage and raised questions about transparency in governmental processes, particularly concerning tax legislation that directly impacts citizens and businesses across the nation.
The House of Representatives panel continues its investigation into how these alterations occurred and who might be responsible for the unauthorized changes to legislation that had already completed the proper democratic process of passage and presidential assent.
Implications for Nigeria's Legislative Integrity
This confirmation of illegal alterations to gazetted laws represents a serious challenge to Nigeria's democratic institutions and legislative procedures. Tax laws form a critical component of national economic policy, and unauthorized changes could have far-reaching consequences for revenue collection, business operations, and public trust in government institutions.
The minority caucus committee is expected to continue its investigation and provide further details about the specific alterations made, the timeline of these unauthorized changes, and recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future. This development underscores the importance of rigorous oversight in Nigeria's legislative process and the need for transparent governance practices.
