• Claims one passed by NASS different from gazetted copy

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

Lawmaker representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, has raised the alarm over alleged alteration of the tax reform laws passed earlier in the year by the National Assembly.

Speaking under matter of privilege at plenary yesterday, he alleged that the gazetted copy of the tax laws currently in circulation was different from the harmonised version or the legislations passed by the parliament.

He described the development as a violation of the 1999  Constitution and called on the House to revisit the issue.

“I am  here today because my privilege has been breached as a member of this all-important House. Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues, we passed the tax laws (bills) on this floor. I took my time in the last three days to look at the gazetted copy.

“I also looked at the votes and proceedings of the House of Representatives, and also went an extra mile to look at the votes and proceedings of the Senate of what was harmonised.

“Mr  Speaker, honourable colleagues, what was passed on this floor is not what is gazetted. I am coming under privilege, because I was here. I gave my vote and it was counted, and I’m seeing something completely different.

“On that note and on this privilege, I call on Mr Speaker to graciously look at what was harmonized and what is in the gazetted copy, what was passed in the House and the Senate.

“You will find out that what is before Nigerians, which is being sold to Nigerians at the Ministry of Information is not what was passed. I plead that all the documents should be brought before the Committee of the Whole so that we can make the relevant amendments.

“This is a breach of the Constitution and our laws, and this should not be taken by this Honorable House.”

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, in his response, said the  point of privilege was noted, stating that the House would look into the issue.

The new tax laws passed earlier in the year by the National Assembly, has been trailed by controversies. President Bola Tinubu had, in October 2024, transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly.

The  bills, which included: The Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024, The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024, The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024 and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024, were eventually passed in the Green chamber on March 18, 2025.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties, Protocols & Agreement, has said it would probe the tax administration agreement between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and  France as well as other treaties signed by the country, recently.

Chairman of the committee, Rabiu Yusuf, at a press briefing, yesterday, said the panel has already invited the FIRS boss, Zach Adedeji, to appear before it with all relevant documents relating to the agreement.

Last week, the FIRS signed an agreement with France, on tax administration, ahead of the commencement of the new tax law on January 1, 2026.

The agreement has generated diverse reactions with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), calling on the federal government to publish the details of Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) or terminate it.

Yusuf, who stated that his committee has the mandate of the House to investigate all agreements and treaties by the government, described the FIRS/ France agreement “as  an issue of vital concern,” said the parliament would act in the national interest.

Responding to a question on the FIRS/ France agreement, he said: “We had written to the  tax officer, Mr Zach Adedeji  of FIRS. We have written to him, inviting him to the National Assembly; to come with the agreement. We will scrutinize it. If we find anything unfavorable to Nigerians, we will order for the immediate suspension.”

Yusuf explained that “our mandate is clear: to examine all bilateral and multilateral treaties, protocols, agreements, and foreign-funded contracts Nigeria has entered

into—and determine whether they protect or endanger the national interest.

“Over the years, Nigeria has signed numerous treaties, MoUs, and agreements— many without adequate oversight, domestication, or monitoring. Some agreements contain hidden obligations, sovereignty waivers, unfavourable arbitration clauses, or financial risks unknown to Nigerians.

“Several foreign-funded infrastructure contracts, especially those involving foreign companies, require deeper scrutiny for: Value-for-money, Loan exposure, Local content compliance

Contract performance,  Environmental and labour compliance.

“Nigeria cannot afford treaties that weaken our legal authority, compromise national assets, or burden future generations with unsustainable liabilities.

“Nigeria will no longer sign unfavourable agreements in darkness. This Committee will shine the light, protect our sovereignty, and ensure every treaty reflects the dignity and future of our nation.”