Reps Release Certified Tax Acts to Address Gazette Discrepancy Claims
The House of Representatives has released the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of four tax reform Acts recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, following public concerns over alleged discrepancies between the laws passed by the National Assembly and versions reportedly gazetted and circulated.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, who said the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, ordered the immediate release of the certified documents to ensure transparency, public verification and accurate reference.
According to Rotimi, the decision was taken in collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio after allegations emerged that unauthorised versions of the tax laws differed from those duly passed by the legislature and assented to by the president.
The controversy was first raised on the floor of the House by Abdulsamad Dasuki, who warned that inconsistencies between the passed Bills and the gazetted versions could undermine legislative integrity and erode public confidence in the lawmaking process.
His concerns sparked widespread debate within and outside the National Assembly, prompting calls from legal practitioners, tax experts and civil society groups for clarification and a suspension of the Acts’ implementation pending verification.
In response, Abbas constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee chaired by Aliyu Betara, with Idris Wase, Sada Soli, Adedeji Faleke, Igariwey Iduma, Fred Agbedi and Babajimi Benson as members. The committee was tasked with probing the alleged alterations, determining how unauthorised versions entered circulation and recommending measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Speaker also ordered an internal verification of the Acts and approved the public release of the certified copies to dispel doubts, restore clarity and safeguard the sanctity of the legislative record.
The four tax reform laws released are the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; National Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025; and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act, 2025.
The House described the laws as central to Nigeria’s modern tax reform agenda, aimed at improving revenue administration, enhancing compliance, reducing inefficiencies, eliminating duplication and strengthening fiscal coordination across the federation.
Rotimi reassured Nigerians that the legislative process is guided by strict procedures and documentation, stressing that the certified copies issued by the National Assembly remain the only authentic and authoritative versions of the laws.
He urged the public and stakeholders to disregard any other versions in circulation, noting that documents not certified by the National Assembly do not form part of the official legislative record.
