National Assembly Moves to Release Certified Tax Bills Amid Discrepancy Claims
The National Assembly has moved to calm growing public concern over alleged inconsistencies in Nigeria’s Tax Acts, assuring citizens that certified copies of the bills signed into law by President Bola Tinubu will be made available for public scrutiny.
PulseNets learnt that the decision followed internal deliberations within the leadership of the legislature after questions were raised about differences between parliamentary votes and proceedings and the versions of the tax laws published in official gazettes.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Information, Mr. Bullah Bi-Allah, disclosed that the management of the National Assembly had formally directed the Clerk to release the transmitted tax bills, enabling Nigerians to independently verify the documents.
According to Bi-Allah, the move is part of a broader response to public calls for openness and accountability in the legislative process. He explained that making the documents accessible would give citizens the opportunity to review and confirm the integrity of the enacted laws.
PulseNets reported that despite heightened public interest in the matter, only a limited number of individuals have formally applied for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised tax bills. Bi-Allah, however, confirmed that “all formal requests received so far have been duly processed.”
He further told PulseNets that the Office of the Clerk is currently collaborating with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure the publication of the fully certified and presidentially assented Acts, in line with existing legal requirements. The gazetted versions, he noted, are expected to be ready by Thursday.
Clarifying institutional responsibilities, Bi-Allah explained that while the Clerk of the National Assembly is mandated to initiate the gazetting process, the actual printing and publication of Acts remain the statutory duty of the Federal Government Printing Press.
To prevent similar issues in the future, the National Assembly has also resolved to strengthen its internal procedures relating to the transmission and gazetting of bills. As part of the new framework, Bi-Allah stated that “all bills forwarded for presidential assent will henceforth be routed strictly through presidential liaison officers.”
He added that “no request for the gazetting of any Act of the National Assembly will be entertained by the Government Printing Press unless it is formally initiated by the Clerk of the National Assembly or an authorised representative.”
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Concluding the statement, Bi-Allah emphasised that “the National Assembly appreciates Nigerians for their vigilance, interest, and constructive engagement in promoting transparency, accountability, and professionalism within the legislative process.”
