An Abuja High Court, sitting as a vacation court, on Monday began hearing a suit seeking to suspend the implementation of Nigeria’s new tax laws scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The tax reforms act was earlier passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
The Incorporated Trustees of African Initiative for Abuse Public Trustees (plaintiff) dragged the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the National Assembly before the court over alleged discrepancies in the tax laws.
In a motion ex parte, the plaintiff sought an interim injunction to restrain the Federal Government, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the National Assembly, or any of its agencies from implementing or enforcing provisions of the gazetted Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025, or the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025 pending determination of the substantive suit.
The plaintiff also asked for accelerated hearing of the originating summons and requested that the defendants be given only five days to file counter affidavits.
It further prayed for substituted service of court processes on the defendants through the Attorney General’s Office and the Clerk of the National Assembly.
The court has fixed Monday for ruling on the injunction, as the National Assembly, presidency, and Nigerians await the outcome.
Minority Caucus Calls for Suspension
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called for immediate suspension of the new tax laws until clarity is established.
The caucus warned Nigerians to disregard any unauthorised versions of the laws amid allegations that the statutes, passed by both chambers and assented to by President Tinubu, were unlawfully altered before being gazetted and circulated.
In a statement co-signed by Minority Leader Rep. O.K. Chinda, Minority Whip Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C., Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi, the caucus described the claims as a serious threat to constitutional governance and legislative integrity.
The caucus noted that concerns were formally raised during plenary, prompting the establishment of a committee to investigate allegations that the laws were fraudulently altered, improperly gazetted, and circulated to the public.
It reminded Nigerians that the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) is responsible for transmitting authentic copies of passed laws for gazetting, stressing that the National Assembly remains custodian of genuine versions of all laws.
Civil Society Groups Back National Assembly Leadership
On Monday, no fewer than 100 civil society organisations, led by the Parliamentary Support and Advocacy Network (PSAN) and the Civil Rights Situation Room on Economic Reforms, commended the leadership of the National Assembly for its handling of the controversy.
At a press conference in Abuja, Comrade Ogiri John praised Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for what he described as a “measured, constitutionally grounded, and institutionally exemplary” response to public concerns.
The four statutes under scrutiny — the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 — represent a major overhaul of Nigeria’s fiscal framework.
The coalition emphasised that scrutiny of the laws is healthy for democracy but must be rooted in facts and procedure.
“Having undertaken a careful and dispassionate examination, we are convinced that the response of the National Assembly leadership has been exemplary in its adherence to constitutionalism and institutional self-regulation,” John said.
The coalition praised the directive to the Clerk of the National Assembly to re-gazette the Acts and provide certified true copies upon request.
They described the move as vital to “enhance transparency, restore public confidence, and affirm that citizens and institutions must have unimpeachable access to the authentic law.”
Comrade John underscored the significance of the reforms, adding: “The stakes are profound. These tax reform laws will fundamentally shape Nigeria’s fiscal architecture, economic incentives, investment climate, revenue mobilisation, and prospects for inclusive growth. Precision in law-making is not delay; it is duty. Certainty in law is not weakness; it is strength.”
The coalition appealed to Nigerians and stakeholders to exercise patience and allow the constitutional review process to conclude without undue pressure.
They reaffirmed support for transformative economic reforms while stressing commitment to the rule of law and institutional integrity.
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