Nigeria's Tax Watchdog Exposes Legislative Integrity Crisis in 2025 Tax Laws
The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has dropped a bombshell, exposing serious discrepancies between tax laws passed by our National Assembly and what eventually got gazetted. This is the kind of institutional breakdown that undermines Nigeria's sovereignty and democratic processes.
In a hard-hitting position paper released by CITN President Innocent Ohagwa, the Institute warned that these alleged alterations pose massive risks to governance, legal certainty, and public confidence. The timing couldn't be more critical, with these tax laws set to take effect January 1, 2026.
Lawmakers Fight Back Against Institutional Manipulation
Leading the charge, Sokoto lawmaker Abdussamad Dasuki and other National Assembly members have raised serious allegations about unauthorized changes to the harmonized bills. This is exactly the kind of leadership Nigeria needs - lawmakers who refuse to let our democratic institutions be compromised.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has responded with strength, constituting a seven-member investigative committee led by Appropriations Committee Chairman Mukhtar Betara. This shows our legislature is ready to defend its constitutional authority.
CITN Drops Truth Bombs on Legislative Integrity
"Tax legislation requires the highest level of accuracy, transparency, and procedural fidelity," CITN declared, calling out the potential manipulation of our laws after legislative passage.
The Institute's concerns are crystal clear: if these discrepancies are confirmed, they could:
- Undermine the supremacy of our legislature
- Create dangerous legal ambiguity
- Erode investor confidence in Nigeria
- Expose taxpayers to unintended liabilities
- Weaken trust in our governance institutions
Constitutional Standards Under Attack
CITN reminded everyone that our Constitution demands laws must be identical to what the legislature actually passed. Any post-passage changes must follow proper constitutional procedures. This isn't just about tax laws, it's about protecting Nigeria's democratic foundations.
"For tax laws, where clarity and certainty are essential, even minor alterations can have disproportionate consequences," the Institute emphasized, highlighting how these alleged manipulations could destabilize our entire tax system.
Demanding Immediate Action for Nigeria's Future
CITN isn't just complaining, they're demanding action:
- Immediate verification of contested tax Acts
- Clear public clarification of any discrepancies
- Prompt corrective action following constitutional procedures
The Institute also proposed game-changing safeguards: strengthened document control, clear audit trails, enhanced inter-institutional checks, and structured stakeholder reviews for major tax legislation.
Standing Strong for Democratic Institutions
CITN concluded with a powerful statement of principle: "The authority of the National Assembly must be preserved, laws must faithfully reflect what was lawfully debated and passed, and transparency and accountability are essential to sustainable governance."
This is the kind of institutional courage Nigeria needs. CITN has offered their technical expertise to support all relevant authorities in ensuring our tax laws serve Nigeria's interests, not hidden agendas.
As our lawmakers investigate these serious allegations, one thing is clear: Nigeria's democratic institutions are under scrutiny, and those who would manipulate our laws for personal gain are being exposed. This is accountability in action, the Nigerian way.