The Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to publish certified true copies of the tax bills passed by the National Assembly and the versions signed into law by the President.
The requested documents include the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Nigeria Tax Act.
SERAP also called for the establishment of an independent panel of inquiry to investigate allegations that substantive provisions were altered between parliamentary passage and gazetting.
SERAP warned that such discrepancies would violate the 1999 Constitution, international human rights law, and the principles of rule of law and separation of powers.
“Any passed bills and signed laws must be accessible, authentic, intelligible, clear, legitimate, and predictable so that people can know and comply with them,” the group said.
Presidency Dismisses Allegations, Activists Mobilise Strike
Documents reportedly obtained from the National Assembly suggest that oversight and accountability mechanisms approved by lawmakers were removed from the final Acts, while new coercive clauses—including arrest powers for tax authorities, garnishee orders without court approval, compulsory USD computation, and mandatory appeal deposits—were inserted without legislative approval.
The Presidency, however, dismissed the allegations, insisting that no constituted authority has established evidence of forgery.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga described opposition claims as “nonsense,” stressing that the laws have already been passed and will be implemented according to schedule.
Meanwhile, the Take‑It‑Back Movement announced plans for a nationwide strike, describing the reforms as “anti‑people and illegitimate.”
National Coordinator Juwon Sanyaolu argued that the policy exploits ordinary Nigerians, targeting employers, entrepreneurs, young people, content creators, and informal workers despite the government’s failure to provide basic services.
“This tax reform seeks to exploit about 90 per cent of the population,” he said.
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