The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have urged the Federal Government to halt the implementation of the newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, citing allegations that the laws were altered after being passed by the National Assembly.
In a statement on Tuesday, NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) said the controversy threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process and raises serious constitutional questions. He warned that any doubt over the authenticity of laws could erode public confidence in governance.
Osigwe called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the matter, insisting that implementation of the tax laws should be suspended until the issues are fully resolved. He said protecting public trust in the legislature must remain a priority.
The NBA also cautioned that the uncertainty surrounding the dispute could discourage investment, disrupt business operations, and create confusion for individuals and institutions expected to comply with the new tax regime.
Atiku, in a separate statement, described the alleged post-passage alterations as a “grave assault on legislative supremacy.” He accused the executive of inserting provisions that expand enforcement powers and impose heavier financial obligations without parliamentary approval.
According to Atiku, the disputed sections reportedly grant tax officials powers of arrest, allow property seizures without court orders, and permit enforcement actions without judicial oversight. He argued that such measures undermine due process protections deliberately built into the laws by lawmakers.
The former vice president also expressed concern over provisions he said would increase financial pressure on citizens and businesses, including a mandatory 20 per cent deposit before appealing tax assessments and stricter reporting requirements.
The controversy emerged after a Sokoto State lawmaker, Abdussamad Dasuki, told the House of Representatives that the version of the laws signed and gazetted differed from what legislators approved. The House has since set up a seven-member committee to investigate. The laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, but both the NBA and Atiku have called for their suspension pending the outcome of the probe.
