A civic organization has issued a one-week ultimatum to the president regarding the new tax legislation. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project demands the public release of certified copies of the recently signed federal tax laws. This follows allegations that the versions made public differ from what lawmakers approved. SERAP sent a formal request directly to President Bola Tinubu, calling for immediate transparency.
The group specifically named four laws central to the dispute: the National Revenue Service Act, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Nigeria Tax Act. SERAP insists the government must clarify if the bills passed by the National Assembly match the final, gazetted documents. They argue that any inconsistency would breach constitutional principles and the separation of powers. Furthermore, the organization wants an independent panel, led by a retired senior judge, to investigate claims that key provisions were altered without legislative consent, with findings made public and prosecutions pursued.
These demands come after a lawmaker, Abdussamad Dasuki, raised a privilege concern in the House about significant discrepancies. Legislators allege the published laws removed oversight safeguards and added new enforcement powers, like arrest authority and dollar-based assessments, without approval. SERAP contends that keeping the authentic documents secret violates constitutional rights to information. They warn that failure to comply within seven days will result in a lawsuit to force disclosure, allowing citizens to scrutinize the laws and challenge any illegal provisions.
The group specifically named four laws central to the dispute: the National Revenue Service Act, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Nigeria Tax Act. SERAP insists the government must clarify if the bills passed by the National Assembly match the final, gazetted documents. They argue that any inconsistency would breach constitutional principles and the separation of powers. Furthermore, the organization wants an independent panel, led by a retired senior judge, to investigate claims that key provisions were altered without legislative consent, with findings made public and prosecutions pursued.
These demands come after a lawmaker, Abdussamad Dasuki, raised a privilege concern in the House about significant discrepancies. Legislators allege the published laws removed oversight safeguards and added new enforcement powers, like arrest authority and dollar-based assessments, without approval. SERAP contends that keeping the authentic documents secret violates constitutional rights to information. They warn that failure to comply within seven days will result in a lawsuit to force disclosure, allowing citizens to scrutinize the laws and challenge any illegal provisions.
