A major political and legal storm has erupted following allegations that sections of Nigeria’s newly passed tax reform laws were altered between National Assembly approval and official gazetting.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have now called for an immediate suspension of the laws, scheduled for implementation on January 1, 2026.
Atiku described the alleged changes as “a brazen act of treason” and an assault on constitutional order. He claimed that new provisions — including powers for tax authorities to arrest, seize property, and enforce sales without court orders — were inserted without legislative approval, turning tax agencies into “quasi-security outfits.”
The NBA echoed these concerns, warning that the controversy undermines the integrity of the law-making process and could destabilise the business environment by creating regulatory uncertainty. It demanded an open investigation to determine how the discrepancies occurred.
Despite the uproar, both chambers of the National Assembly proceeded on Christmas recess after approving revised 2024 and 2025 budgets.
Meanwhile, the N58.4 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill has passed second reading in the Senate, with lawmakers promising tighter scrutiny of the fiscal framework.
Government officials insist the tax reforms will simplify compliance, eliminate nuisance taxes, and boost productivity. But opposition leaders argue that without clarity, implementation must halt.
