THIS DAWN — An African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Ms. Lauretta Onochie, has joined the growing chorus of voices demanding accountability over the alleged forgery of Nigeria’s newly gazetted tax laws.
Onochie called on the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if ongoing investigations confirm his involvement in altering legislation passed by lawmakers.
The statement comes amid mounting controversy surrounding discrepancies between the versions of tax reform bills.
One was reportedly approved by both chambers of the National Assembly, while a different version was subsequently gazetted by the presidency.
Lawmakers, led by Abdusammad Dasuki of Sokoto, raised alarm last week after discovering that key constitutional safeguards had been removed in the gazetted version.
The discover has sparked accusations of executive overreach and forgery.
Onochie Decries Violation of Constitution
Onochie described the alleged alterations as a grave violation of the Constitution and a breach of the principle of separation of powers.
She stressed that if the president is found culpable, impeachment would be the only constitutional remedy to preserve Nigeria’s democracy.
“Tampering with laws duly passed by the National Assembly amounts to treason against the Nigerian people,” she declared.
Onochie, therefore, urging the legislature to act decisively in her statement.
She emphasized that the National Assembly must not shy away from its responsibility as custodian of legislative authority.
Background to the Allegations
The controversy centers on four tax reform acts passed in June 2025:
- Nigeria Tax Act, 2025
- Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025
- Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025
- Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025
Lawmakers discovered that the gazetted versions differed from what was harmonized and transmitted for presidential assent.
Among the contentious changes:
- Removal of judicial oversight for asset seizures by tax agents.
- Empowering law enforcement agencies to arrest and detain suspected tax offenders during investigations.
- Mandating individuals appealing tax penalties to pay 20% of the disputed amount upfront.
These provisions, absent in the legislature’s version, were seen as unconstitutional and punitive.
National Assembly’s Response
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to re‑gazette the acts.
They also demanded that certified true copies of the versions passed by lawmakers be issued.
An ad hoc committee has also been constituted to investigate the sequence of events and identify lapses or external interference in the legislative process.
The House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Alabi, assured Nigerians that the matter is being handled strictly within constitutional and statutory frameworks.
Alabi emphasized that transparency and accountability will be strictly respected, as demanded by Onochie and others.
Onochie, Others React
Besides Onochie, civil society groups, the Nigerian Bar Association, and opposition parties have demanded thorough investigations.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) had earlier called for impeachment proceedings if Tinubu is implicated.
Meanwhile, Onochie’s latest statement adds weight to the pressure on the National Assembly.
Observers note that the controversy could become one of the most significant constitutional crises of Tinubu’s presidency, testing the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
As investigations continue, the ADC’s call underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the potential consequences for Tinubu.
If proven, the alleged forgery of tax laws could trigger impeachment proceedings, reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
For now, all eyes remain on the National Assembly as it seeks to uphold legislative integrity and constitutional order.
