Fresh controversies trailing the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts have cast a long shadow over the credibility and sanctity of Nigeria’s legislative process, raising alarm across legal, business and policy circles.
In a strongly worded intervention, the Nigerian Bar Association warned that the disputes surrounding the passage of the laws strike at the very core of constitutional governance, transparency and democratic accountability.
According to the association, the unresolved questions over how the Acts were enacted have created serious legal and policy uncertainty—an atmosphere that threatens investor confidence, unsettles businesses and leaves citizens unsure of their obligations under the law.
“The integrity of the lawmaking process must be beyond reproach,” the NBA cautioned, stressing that legislation with far-reaching economic and social consequences cannot be allowed to rest on contested procedures.
The association called for a comprehensive, open and transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the enactment of the Tax Reform Acts, insisting that public confidence in the legislative arm can only be restored through full disclosure and accountability.
Pending the outcome of such an inquiry, the NBA urged that implementation of the Tax Reform Acts be immediately suspended, warning that proceeding amid controversy would deepen uncertainty and undermine economic stability.
Legal observers note that Nigeria’s constitutional democracy depends on laws emerging from processes that are clear, accountable and faithful to due process. Any deviation, they argue, risks weakening public trust and eroding the rule of law.
In closing, the NBA appealed to all relevant authorities to act swiftly and responsibly, emphasizing that resolving the controversy is essential not only for constitutional order, but also for economic stability and the preservation of lawful governance.
The statement was signed by Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
