The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating alleged discrepancies in Nigeria’s newly gazetted tax laws has pledged to conduct a thorough and swift investigation.
At its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, the committee’s chairman, Muktar Betara, assured that the panel is committed to transparency and will present its findings and recommendations to parliament as soon as the exercise is concluded.
The probe was initiated after Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki of Sokoto raised an alarm last week, claiming that the gazetted tax laws available to the public contain significant differences from the harmonized versions passed by the National Assembly.
The allegations have sparked widespread concern, with Dasuki warning that the discrepancies could undermine the legislature’s integrity and breach the constitution.
The controversy has drawn reactions from prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, who have called for the immediate suspension of the laws’ implementation until the probe is finished.
Civil society organizations like SERAP and CHRICED have also demanded an independent investigation and the prosecution of any officials found responsible for the alleged secret alterations, which reportedly include granting tax authorities powers to seize property without a court order.
In response to the initial claims, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas formed the seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate the matter and report back to the full chamber.
