The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has raised serious concerns over what it described as troubling inconsistencies between tax reform bills approved by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted and released to the public.
The Council warned that any such alterations could pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
Its reaction followed claims made on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday by Abdulsamad Dasuki, who alleged that provisions never debated or approved by lawmakers appeared in the final tax laws signed by the President.
In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the SCSN said it was treating the allegations with utmost seriousness, stressing that if confirmed, the matter would amount to a grave constitutional violation with wide-ranging consequences for democracy, governance, economic stability, and public confidence.
“The Council notes with utmost seriousness the allegation that additional clauses and other substantial material alterations appearing in the gazetted tax laws signed by the President were neither debated nor approved by the National Assembly. If established, this represents a grave and egregious constitutional infraction with far-reaching implications for democracy, governance, economic stability, and public trust,” the statement read.
The Islamic body noted that it closely monitored and actively engaged in the legislative process that led to the passage of the tax reform bills, explaining that its involvement was aimed at promoting fairness, equity, transparency, constitutional compliance, and the protection of public interest.
According to the SCSN, the tax reforms carry significant implications for ordinary Nigerians, businesses, and religious, social, and economic obligations, making any departure from due legislative procedure unacceptable.
The Council said it was shocked and deeply disturbed by claims that laws debated and approved by elected representatives may have been altered at the executive stage, warning that such an act, if proven, would amount to interference with the sovereign will of the people.
“Such action, if established, is tantamount to tampering with the sovereign will of the Nigerian people and undermines the very foundation of constitutional governance,” it stated.
The SCSN called on the leadership of the National Assembly — particularly the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio — to urgently step in by ensuring a transparent investigation of the allegations before the tax laws are due to take effect on January 1, 2026.
It demanded that lawmakers be given the opportunity to carry out an open and unhindered comparison of the harmonised bills passed by both chambers with the versions eventually gazetted, in order to determine the nature, scope, and impact of any alleged changes.
The Council warned that if the claims are validated, the situation could erode public trust, weaken the principle of separation of powers, expose the laws to constitutional challenges, create economic uncertainty, and discourage investors.
“Most critically, they set a dangerous precedent where laws become negotiable instruments rather than binding outcomes of democratic deliberation,” the statement said.
Emphasising that taxation is compulsory, the SCSN argued that tax laws must meet the highest standards of constitutional integrity and procedural accuracy, insisting that Nigerians cannot be expected to comply with fiscal obligations arising from laws whose authenticity is in question.
The Council urged all relevant authorities to handle the issue with urgency, sincerity, and transparency in order to safeguard constitutional order and institutional credibility.
“Nigerians cannot be expected to comply with fiscal obligations arising from laws whose authenticity and legislative origin are in doubt. The Council therefore urges that this matter be treated with urgency, sincerity, and transparency to preserve constitutional order, protect institutional credibility, and reaffirm the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution.
“Nigeria’s democracy must not be undermined by executive overreach or procedural shortcuts. The will of the people, as expressed through the National Assembly, must be respected and defended,” the statement concluded.
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