Foundation calls for urgent investigation into alleged unauthorised alterations to tax reform laws

Omeiza Bilal

Hallowmace Foundation Africa has called call for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the allegations of alteration of the tax Act.

In a statement signed by Executive Director, HallowMace Foundation Africa Amb. Anderson Osiebe, the investigation must be conducted by a credible joint committee of the National Assembly or an independent judicial panel to ascertain the authenticity of the original assented copies versus the circulated versions, and to identify how and by whom any unauthorized alterations were made.

Lawmakers alleged that the bills, as passed by the legislature and assented to by President Bola Tinubu, were modified post-enactment.

According to the HallowMace Foundation, the allegations if true, represents a severe breach of constitutional due process and undermines the very foundation of our democracy—the separation of powers.

“We demand the immediate suspension of the implementation and enforcement of the affected tax reform laws pending the conclusive outcome of this investigation. Proceeding with potentially illegitimate laws is an affront to the rule of law and places an undue burden on Nigerians based on a flawed foundation.

The legislative process is sacrosanct. Any amendment to a bill after its passage by the National Assembly and presidential assent, without recourse to the legislature for approval, is constitutionally defective, legally null and void, and sets a dangerous precedent for administrative overreach. The resulting legal uncertainty creates an untenable environment for businesses, investors, and citizens expected to comply with these laws.

“We urge the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Information to publicly clarify this discrepancy without delay and to make the authentic, original versions of the assented laws publicly available to dispel the growing cloud of doubt.

“Governance must be conducted with integrity and strict adherence to the provisions of the Constitution. The trust of the Nigerian people in their institutions is paramount and must be preserved. Allowing such allegations to go uninvestigated erodes public confidence and opens the door to legal chaos, where the validity of every action taken under these laws will be perpetually challenged.

The Foundation said it “will monitor this situation closely and continue to advocate for processes that uphold the supremacy of the Constitution, the integrity of the National Assembly, and the best interests of all Nigerians.”