The Nigerian Bar Association and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have called on the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the newly enacted Tax Reform Acts amid allegations that the laws were altered after being passed by the National Assembly
In a statement released on Tuesday, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) said the controversy surrounding the tax laws poses a serious threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process and raises constitutional questions.
He urged that a thorough and transparent probe be carried out, stressing that confidence in the law-making process must be safeguarded.
“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 the uncertainty created by the dispute could unsettle investors, disrupt business operations, and create confusion for individuals and institutions expected to comply with the new tax regime.
Atiku Abubakar also condemned the alleged alterations, describing them as a “grave assault on legislative supremacy.” He accused the executive arm of inserting tougher enforcement measures and heavier financial obligations that were never approved by lawmakers.
According to him, the alleged additions include powers for tax officials to make arrests, seize property without court orders, and carry out enforcement actions 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 further expressed concern about increased financial burdens on citizens, including a mandatory 20 per cent deposit before appealing tax assessments and stricter reporting requirements for businesses.
The controversy emerged after Abdussamad Dasuki, a lawmaker from Sokoto State, told the House of Representatives that the version of the tax laws signed and gazetted by the Federal Government differed from what legislators passed.
In response, the House constituted a seven-member committee to investigate the allegation.
The tax laws are expected to come into force on January 1, 2026, but both the NBA and Atiku insisted that implementation should be suspended until the investigation is concluded.
They also urged the National Assembly to reverse any unlawful changes and ensure accountability for those responsible. Atiku further called on the judiciary to nullify any unconstitutional provisions and appealed to Nigerians and civil society groups to oppose what he described as an erosion of democratic principles.
“This draconian overreach by the executive branch undermines the foundational principle of legislative supremacy in the making of laws,” he said.
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