New Tax Laws Intact, Not Altered, Akpabio Affirms

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed claims that Nigeria’s newly passed tax laws were altered, insisting that the versions signed into law remained intact and unadulterated.

Akpabio made the clarification during Senate plenary on Wednesday, following speculations that multiple versions of the tax laws were in circulation.

He said, “I understand that there is another version that was circulating around, which was not in compliance with what was contained in our votes and proceedings.

“There is no adulteration. So I mean, at this stage now, you can feel bold enough to discard anything that is to the contrary.

“There are about four Acts. So the four Acts are ready and gazetted, and signed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly to avoid confusion.”

He subsequently directed the Clerk of the Senate to distribute the certified copies of the Acts to all Senators, stressing that the documents must not be released to unauthorised persons.

“So every senator is expected to go home with one today. And then those who are not here, we will distribute them directly to the Senators.

“This Act should not be given to any other person. It must be given by the Clerk to the Senate and certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly to avoid any confusion.

“So, you take it directly from us. This has taken cognisance of what happened in the House of Representatives, in the votes and proceedings. And also what happened in the Senate and what happened in the committee on harmonisation, and signed by Mr President,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate deferred consideration of the report of its Committee on Electoral Matters to allow lawmakers more time to study it.

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, explained that the committee chairman, Senator Simon Lalong, was not immediately available, though copies of the report had been circulated.

“But copies have been circulated. We will allow senators to go home with the report and study it, and when we come tomorrow, we will hold a brief closed-door session and debate the critical clauses of the bill and pass it,” Bamidele stated.

Responding, Akpabio said there was no need to rush the report, assuring that the Senate “will take our time and do the needful, and ensure justice is done for all and sundry.”