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Opposition Lawmakers in Reps Set Up Special Committee to Probe Tax Reforms Act Scandal



The leadership of the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has constituted a seven-man fact-finding committee to independently investigate allegations of unlawful alterations to Nigeria's newly enacted tax reform laws by elements within the executive arm of government.

In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by Minority Leader Rep. O.K. Chinda, Minority Whip Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C., PhD, Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi, the caucus described the move as expedient amid the lingering controversy over claims that the versions of the tax laws gazetted and set for implementation differ materially from those passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu.

The opposition lawmakers expressed concern over the federal government's determination to commence implementation of the laws from January 1, 2026, despite widespread demands for suspension pending resolution of the discrepancies.

They stressed that, as the opposition bloc, they owe Nigerians an independent and unbiased probe to establish the facts and protect citizens—especially the poor and vulnerable—from the consequences of enforcing an allegedly altered statute.

The four tax reform bills—the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025—were signed into law in June 2025 after months of legislative scrutiny.

While the executive has defended the reforms as critical for streamlining revenue administration and easing the tax burden on low-income earners, critics have accused the process of post-assent tampering, with specific allegations pointing to the insertion of draconian enforcement clauses absent from the legislatively approved texts.

The newly inaugurated committee, chaired by Hon. Afam Ogene, has been given seven days to conclude its assignment and submit findings to the caucus leadership.

Its members include Hon. Gaza Gbefwi Jonathan, Hon. MB Shehu Fagge, Hon. Aliyu Garu, Hon. Stanley Adedeji, Hon. Ibe Okwara, and Hon. Marie Ebikake.

The panel's mandate covers obtaining authenticated copies of the laws as passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and signed by the President, securing the gazetted versions circulated by the executive, conducting a line-by-line comparison to identify any disparities, and recommending appropriate responses should infractions be established.

Acknowledging that members of the House are currently on recess, the caucus leadership urged colleagues to treat the inquiry as a matter of urgent national importance, regretting any inconvenience caused while extending new year greetings.

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