The National Assembly has directed that Certified True Copies (CTCs) of Nigeria’s recently enacted Tax Reform Acts be made available to stakeholders and members of the public upon request, as concerns mount over alleged post-assent alterations to the laws.
This directive was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the Director of Information for the Senate, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah. The statement also confirmed that the legislature has commenced an internal investigation into claims that certain provisions of the tax laws were modified after they were passed by lawmakers and assented to by the President.
The Acts under review include the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.
According to the National Assembly, public concerns have arisen over discrepancies between the versions of the bills passed by both chambers, those assented to by the President, and the copies later published in the Official Gazette.
“The leadership and management of the National Assembly are addressing these matters strictly within their constitutional and statutory mandate,” the statement said.
It noted that relevant committees, working alongside the management of the legislature, have initiated an internal review process to clarify the issues raised. The exercise, the Assembly stressed, is being conducted in line with the 1999 Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act (Cap A4, LFN 2004), the Standing Orders of both chambers, and established parliamentary practice.
As part of the review, the leadership has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure the publication of the Acts in the Official Gazette and the issuance of certified true copies to any stakeholder or member of the public who requests them.
The Assembly emphasised that the exercise is purely administrative and intended to authenticate and formally reflect legislative decisions already taken. It clarified that the review does not suggest any defect in the legislative process or infringe on the responsibilities of other arms of government.
“The review is confined to institutional processes and procedures and does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by either chamber,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability and constitutional governance, the National Assembly assured the public that any procedural or administrative lapses identified would be addressed strictly in accordance with the law. Citizens were also urged to allow the internal processes of the legislature to run their course without speculation or undue interference.
The development follows renewed controversy over the Tax Reform Acts, scheduled to take effect in January. Earlier this week, a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the laws amid allegations of post-passage alterations.
Civil society groups and opposition figures, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have also expressed concern. The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, warned that unresolved disputes surrounding the reforms could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s legislative process and called for a transparent investigation.
Tensions escalated further after a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, alleged that the versions of the laws published in the Official Gazette differed from the final copies passed by the National Assembly and transmitted for presidential assent.
Hobnob News will continue to monitor developments as the National Assembly’s review progresses.
About The Author
