The House of Representatives has rejected claims that Nigeria’s newly passed tax laws were falsified, describing the allegations as misleading and damaging to public confidence in the legislature.
Speaking on Sunday, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Mr Philip Agbese, dismissed assertions by Senator Ali Ndume that discrepancies existed between the tax bills passed by the National Assembly and those signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
Ndume, who represents Borno South, had alleged during a television interview that multiple versions of the gazetted laws existed and criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio for dismissing the claims rather than ordering an investigation.
Agbese said due legislative process was followed in passing the tax laws and stressed that it was wrong to suggest that lawmakers tampered with the legislation.
He added that the House had already constituted a committee to review concerns surrounding the tax laws, describing insinuations of legislative fraud as unfounded.
“This is exactly why the House set up a committee — to clarify the facts,” Agbese said. “Nigerians should not be misled into believing that lawmakers are acting in bad faith.”
He cautioned against politicising the issue, noting that established review mechanisms were in place to address genuine legislative concerns, and warned that speculation could distract lawmakers from ongoing tax reforms aimed at serving the public interest.
