Downplaying Tax Report Encourages Impunity – House Minority Caucus Warns

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus says downplaying its interim report on alleged illegal alterations to the Tax Reforms Acts risks encouraging impunity.

The caucus’ Ad-hoc Committee, which released its report over the weekend, said a comparison of the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the laws with the gazetted versions revealed changes, particularly in the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025.

However in an interview, Deputy Spokesperson Philip Agbese said the National Assembly leadership had already taken steps to address all discrepancies in the gazetted laws.

In a statement in Abuja, the Chairman of the Committee, Afam Ogene says the report did not question the Assembly’s integrity or legislative processes but highlights attempts by perpetrators of the illegal alterations to undermine the legislature’s functional integrity and independence.

He added that lawmakers should prioritise the public interest over political considerations.

Meanwhile
House Spokesperson Mr Akin Rotimi stressed that only committees constituted by the House in plenary or by the Speaker under Standing Orders have legal authority.

“Reports from caucus-led committees are non-binding and cannot be officially presented to the House.”

“The House considers the actions of the Minority Caucus procedurally improper and likely to create public confusion,” Rotimi adds

PR Oduyemi Odumade