Reps Release Tax Acts Amid Gazette Discrepancy Claims

Reps Release Tax Acts Amid Gazette Discrepancy Claims

Abuja — The House of Representatives has released certified copies of recently enacted tax reform laws following public allegations that the versions published in the Federal Government Gazette differ from those passed by the National Assembly.

The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the authenticity of the gazetted Acts after a lawmaker raised concerns on the floor of the House, warning that inconsistencies between the passed bills and the published versions could undermine legislative integrity and public trust.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the spokesperson of the House, Akin Rotimi, said the decision was taken on the directive of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, in consultation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. According to him, the leadership approved the immediate release of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the laws, complete with assent pages signed by President Bola Tinubu, to enable Nigerians verify the authentic texts.

The released documents include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, all signed into law as part of the federal government’s sweeping tax reform agenda.

The controversy was triggered when a member of the House alleged that provisions contained in the gazetted versions did not fully align with what lawmakers debated and approved. The claim sparked intense debate within and outside the National Assembly, with legal experts and civil society groups calling for clarity and transparency in the legislative process.

Responding to the allegations, the House leadership insisted that the versions now released represent the only valid and authoritative texts of the laws as passed by parliament and assented to by the president. It urged the public to disregard any unauthorised or unofficial copies in circulation.

To further address the matter, the House had earlier set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the source of the discrepancies and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence. The committee is expected to submit its findings in the coming days.

The release of the certified Acts is seen as a key step toward restoring confidence in the legislative process, especially as the new tax laws are expected to significantly reshape Nigeria’s revenue administration framework. Stakeholders are now watching closely to see whether the investigation will lead to a re-gazetting of the laws or further legislative action.