Rights Group Seeks Probe OF Alleged Tax Law Alteration

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called for an investigation into allegations that Nigeria’s tax reform laws were altered after being passed by the National Assembly.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, the organisation said claims raised by Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) suggested that provisions not debated or approved by lawmakers appeared in the gazetted versions of the laws.

“If these allegations are established, it would amount to a violation of Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, which vests the power of lawmaking and amendment solely in the National Assembly,” Zikirullahi said.
CHRICED listed the alleged insertions to include provisions granting tax authorities powers to seize funds without court orders, a requirement for taxpayers to pay 20 per cent of disputed assessments before filing appeals, the use of the United States dollar as the sole currency for tax computation, and alterations to petroleum income tax and value added tax provisions.

The organisation acknowledged the decision of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to constitute a seven-member ad hoc committee but said further action was required to ensure transparency.

“The implementation of the affected tax laws should be suspended until a full, independent, and time-bound investigation is concluded,” Zikirullahi said.

CHRICED also urged the Presidency and the Senate to respond to the allegations, saying timely clarification was necessary to maintain public confidence in the legislative process.