By MOHAMMED DANBABA
A fresh legislative storm is sweeping through Nigeria’s National Assembly following allegations that the newly gazetted Tax Reform Acts differ significantly from the versions debated, amended, and passed by lawmakers. The controversy, now widely described as the Tax Reform Laws scandal at the National Assembly, has raised serious questions about transparency, due process, and the credibility of Nigeria’s law-making system.
At the centre of the growing uproar is a petition demanding the immediate suspension of the Clerk to the National Assembly (NASS), Mr. Kamorudeen Ogunlana, over alleged constitutional and statutory breaches linked to the gazetting and circulation of the disputed laws.
Lawyer Petitions Speaker, Alleges Grave Legislative Breach
In a strongly worded petition dated Thursday, December 18, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, legal practitioner and legislative drafting expert Edward Omaga, Esq., accused the Clerk of the National Assembly of presiding over what he described as a “grave violation” of Nigeria’s legislative process.
Omaga argued that the versions of the Tax Reform Acts recently gazetted and circulated to the public do not faithfully reflect what was approved by both chambers of the National Assembly. According to him, this alleged discrepancy strikes at the heart of parliamentary democracy and undermines public trust in federal legislation.
Alleged Violation of Acts Authentication Law
The petitioner, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007 and holds a Master’s Degree in Legislative Drafting from the University of Abuja, grounded his argument in law. He cited Section 5 of the Acts Authentication Act, 1961 (now Cap A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004), which places the responsibility of accurate engrossment squarely on the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly.
Under the Act, the Clerk is required to ensure that every bill passed by the National Assembly is properly engrossed and authenticated before it is forwarded for presidential assent and eventual gazetting.
Omaga warned that any deviation from the text passed by lawmakers, whether deliberate or accidental, renders the affected legislation vulnerable to legal challenge and threatens the legitimacy of Nigeria’s statutory framework.
House Debate Sparks Wider Controversy
The petition did not arise in isolation. It followed a heated debate on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, when Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) reportedly raised concerns over inconsistencies between the Tax Reform Acts debated in plenary and the versions later gazetted.
Lawmakers were said to have expressed unease over provisions appearing in the gazetted Acts that were allegedly not part of the final resolutions approved by the House and the Senate. Although official details of the disputed sections remain under scrutiny, the allegations alone have been enough to trigger public outrage and calls for accountability.
Why the Tax Reform Laws Matter
The Tax Reform Acts are considered critical to Nigeria’s fiscal stability and economic reform agenda. They directly affect government revenue, business operations, and citizens’ obligations to the state. As a result, any uncertainty surrounding their authenticity carries far-reaching consequences.
Analysts warn that if the allegations are substantiated, affected laws could face injunctions in court, creating confusion for tax authorities, businesses, and investors. More importantly, the scandal could erode confidence in the National Assembly at a time when public trust in governance remains fragile.
Call for Immediate Suspension and Independent Probe
In his petition, Omaga called not only for the immediate suspension of the Clerk to the National Assembly, but also for an independent investigation to determine how the alleged discrepancies occurred.
He argued that allowing the Clerk to remain in office while the matter is unresolved could compromise any internal review process. According to him, accountability is essential to preserving the integrity of legislative governance.
“The National Assembly must act decisively to protect the sanctity of its proceedings and the credibility of the laws it produces,” the petition stressed.
Silence from National Assembly Leadership
As of the time of reporting, neither the office of the Speaker nor the Clerk to the National Assembly has issued an official response to the allegations. However, sources within the legislature suggest that the leadership of both chambers is under pressure to address the matter swiftly, especially as civil society groups and legal commentators begin to weigh in.
Many observers believe the unfolding Tax Reform Laws scandal at the National Assembly could become one of the most consequential legislative controversies in recent years if not promptly resolved.
What Comes Next
With lawmakers, legal experts, and the public demanding clarity, attention now turns to the House leadership and relevant oversight committees. Their response will likely determine whether the controversy fizzles out quietly or escalates into a full-blown institutional crisis.
For now, the scandal serves as a stark reminder that legislative accuracy is not a technicality but the foundation of democratic governance.
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