HallowMace Foundation Africa has condemned what it described as illegal alterations to Nigeria’s recently passed tax laws, calling for an immediate reversal of all doctored versions and a full investigation into those responsible.
In a statement issued on Friday, the non-governmental organization said it had reviewed the interim report of the House of Representatives Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee on Tax Laws, which confirmed that key provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025 and other related Acts were unlawfully altered after passage by the National Assembly.
The Foundation commended Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki for drawing attention to the alleged irregularities and praised the Minority Caucus led by Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda, as well as Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, for authorising a verification process. It also acknowledged the work of the Ad-hoc Committee chaired by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene for uncovering what it termed legislative fraud.
According to the Committee’s findings, the gazetted versions of the tax laws contained unauthorized insertions and deletions, including changes to reporting thresholds under Section 29, the introduction of a mandatory 20 per cent deposit for tax appeals in Section 41, and the granting of arrest powers under Section 64. The report also noted the removal of provisions granting legislative oversight in the Nigerian Revenue Service Act.
HallowMace Foundation described the alterations as a grave violation of constitutional procedures and an infringement on the National Assembly’s exclusive law-making powers, warning that such actions undermine democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
The organization called for an independent investigation to identify all individuals and offices involved in the alleged manipulation of the laws. It further demanded the immediate withdrawal of all altered copies from circulation, insisting that only the Certified True Copies passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President should be recognized and implemented.
HallowMace Foundation also cautioned against what it described as unhealthy and undemocratic practices, noting that subverting the will of the legislature erodes public trust and sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation and advocating for accountability, transparency and legislative integrity in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
