The House of Representatives has commenced an investigation into alleged unauthorised alterations in the tax reform laws passed by the National Assembly, following claims that the version gazetted by the Federal Government differs from what lawmakers approved.
The probe followed a motion raised on Wednesday by Abdussamad Dasuki, who represents Kebbe Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State. Dasuki told the House that after reviewing the gazetted copy of the tax reforms, he discovered discrepancies when compared with the harmonised version passed by both the House and the Senate.
He warned that the alleged alterations could expose the new tax laws to legal challenges, as sections now contained in the gazetted copy did not receive legislative approval.
According to him, what Nigerians are currently seeing and being circulated by government agencies is not the same version approved on the floor of the National Assembly.
At plenary on Thursday, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas described the allegation as serious and announced the constitution of a seven member ad hoc committee to investigate the matter and report back to the House for further legislative action.
Abbas said the House leadership unanimously agreed that an immediate inquiry was necessary to protect the integrity of the lawmaking process. He named Mukhtar Betara as chairman of the committee, with Idris Wase, James Faleke, Sada Soli, Igariwey Iduma, Fredrick Agbedi and Babajimi Benson as members.
Dasuki, speaking under a matter of privilege, said he examined the votes and proceedings of both chambers and found that what was passed differed from what was eventually gazetted.
He described the development as a breach of the Constitution and urged the House to revisit the harmonised documents to correct any irregularities.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has also called for a thorough investigation into the alleged discrepancies.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party said Nigerians deserve clarity on how unapproved insertions allegedly found their way into the gazetted law.
The PDP warned that inserting sections not passed by lawmakers could erode public trust in the National Assembly and demanded that the commencement date of the Tax Reform Act be shifted from January 1, 2026, by at least six months to allow for investigation, proper publication of the authentic version and public enlightenment.
The party further urged the House of Representatives not to treat the matter lightly, stressing that legislative integrity is a national issue that must be protected to safeguard democracy and the rule of law.
