Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD) has written to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly, calling for an immediate and independent investigation into alleged alterations to Nigeria’s newly gazetted tax laws.
Relatedly, the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN) has demanded the immediate suspension of Afam Ogene from the House of Representatives, accusing him of abusing legislative privilege and leading a politically motivated campaign to undermine the Tax Reform Act.
In a letter yesterday, NEFGAD’s acting Head of Office, Blessing Ojo, expressed concern over reports that changes might have been made to the contents of the tax laws after they had been passed by the legislature and assented to by the President.
The civic advocacy group said any post-assent modification of legislation, if established, would raise serious constitutional and institutional questions, describing such development as a potential threat to legislative integrity and democratic governance.
In the letter, NEFGAD urged Tinubu to order an independent investigation to determine whether the integrity of the legislative process was compromised, establish the nature and scope of any alteration that might have occurred, and apply appropriate sanctions to any person, office or agency found culpable, in line with the Constitution and extant laws of the federation.
According to NEFGAD, a law passed by the National Assembly represents the final expression of legislative intent, and any alteration – whether by omission, substitution or addition – could undermine due process, public trust and the rule of law, as well as weaken investor confidence and Nigeria’s law-making credibility.
The organisation further warned that failure to take prompt corrective action might compel it to seek judicial redress, including approaching the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over issues bordering on legislative accountability and institutional compliance with the rule of law.
“This matter is not merely administrative; it is constitutional and fundamental to Nigeria’s democracy. The nation expects transparency and accountability,” the statement said.
CRCN President, Dr Gabriel Idoko, in a statement yesterday, alleged that Ogene, acting through the House Minority Caucus, engaged in actions that created public confusion, weakened legislative cohesion, and diverted attention from critical national priorities.
The group linked Ogene’s conduct to a bid for political relevance following his recent defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Ogene’s actions in leading a so-called ad-hoc committee outside established parliamentary procedures amount to a clear abuse of legislative office,” Idoko said. “This parallel probe lacks constitutional and procedural legitimacy, yet it is being projected as an official legislative inquiry, eroding public confidence in the House of Representatives.”
The rights group further accused the lawmaker of engaging in reckless speculation by alleging the existence of “three different versions” of the tax laws without submitting verifiable evidence through recognised legislative channels.
“Such claims border on defamation and legislative grandstanding rather than constructive oversight,” the group stated, warning that Ogene’s actions, if unchecked, could encourage factional overreach within the National Assembly.
The statement added that the release of an interim report while official legislative mechanisms were still in motion only deepened public misinformation.
It also criticised Ogene’s repeated media engagements, saying they amplified unverified claims of document alterations and executive interference.
“A lawmaker, who persistently disregards parliamentary norms, bypasses plenary authority, and promotes narratives that pit arms of government against each other, should not continue in office without consequences,” Idoko asserted.
CRCN commended the House of Representatives for releasing Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the tax laws, saying the action clarified discrepancies, aligned official records, and reinforced legislative transparency.
Despite the CTCs, the group accused Ogene of persisting in a “parallel narrative” driven by personal visibility rather than national interest, urging the House leadership and ethics committee to initiate disciplinary proceedings to safeguard the legislature’s credibility.
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