Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, have called on the Federal Government to halt the implementation of the newly enacted Tax Reform Acts over allegations that the laws were altered after being passed by the National Assembly.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, said the controversy surrounding the tax laws poses a threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s law making process and raises serious constitutional concerns. He stressed the need to safeguard public trust in the legislature.
“The Nigerian Bar Association considers it imperative that a comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation be conducted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the enactment of the laws and to restore public confidence in the legislative process. Until these issues are fully examined and resolved, all plans for the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be immediately suspended,” Osigwe said.
The NBA warned that continued uncertainty could discourage investors, disrupt business activities, and create confusion for individuals and institutions required to comply with the new laws.
Similarly, Atiku criticised the alleged alterations, describing them as a “grave assault on legislative supremacy.” He accused the executive arm of government of introducing stricter enforcement powers and heavier financial obligations without legislative approval.
According to him, some of the alleged insertions include arrest powers for tax officials, seizure of property without court orders, and enforcement actions carried out without judicial oversight.
“These provisions transform tax collectors into quasi law enforcement agencies, stripping Nigerians of due process protections that the National Assembly deliberately included,” Atiku said.
He also expressed concern over increased financial burdens on citizens, including a compulsory 20 percent deposit before appealing tax assessments and more stringent reporting requirements for businesses.
The controversy followed claims by a lawmaker from Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, who told the House of Representatives that the version of the tax laws signed and gazetted by the Federal Government differed from what lawmakers approved. In response, the House constituted a seven member committee to investigate the allegation.
The tax laws are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026. Both Atiku and the NBA insisted that implementation should be suspended until the investigation is concluded.
They urged the National Assembly to reverse any illegal alterations and ensure accountability for those responsible. Atiku further called on the judiciary to strike down any unconstitutional provisions and appealed to Nigerians and civil society organisations to resist what he described as an attack on democracy.
“This draconian overreach by the executive branch undermines the foundational principle of legislative supremacy in the making of laws,” he said.
