The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the implementation of the newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, following 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), warned that the controversy surrounding the tax laws poses a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process and raises grave constitutional questions.
Osigwe called for a full, transparent investigation into the circumstances under which the laws were enacted, stressing that public confidence in the legislature must be preserved.
“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,” he said. “Until these issues are fully examined and resolved, all plans for the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be immediately suspended.”
The NBA further cautioned that the uncertainty created by the dispute could discourage investors, disrupt business operations, and create confusion for individuals and institutions expected to comply with the new laws.
Similarly, Atiku Abubakar condemned the alleged alterations, describing them as a “grave assault on legislative supremacy.” He accused the executive arm of government of inserting stringent enforcement powers and heavier financial obligations that were never approved by lawmakers.
According to Atiku, the alleged additions include powers for tax officials to arrest individuals, 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,” he said.
The former vice president also expressed concern over what he described as increased financial pressure on citizens and businesses, citing provisions such as a mandatory 20 per cent deposit before taxpayers can appeal assessments and tougher compliance and reporting requirements for companies.
The controversy emerged after a lawmaker representing Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, informed 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 Reform Acts are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026. However, both the NBA and Atiku insist that implementation should be halted pending the outcome of the investigation.
They urged the National Assembly to correct any illegal alterations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Atiku also called on the judiciary to strike down any unconstitutional provisions and urged Nigerians and civil society groups to resist 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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