The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has raised serious concerns over controversies trailing the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts, warning that the issues cast doubt on the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s lawmaking process.
In a statement issued on Monday, signed by Mazi Afam Osigwe, President of the Association, the NBA said the developments surrounding the passage of the Tax Reform Acts strike at the core of constitutional governance and raise questions about whether due process was fully observed in the legislative exercise.
The Association stressed the need for a comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances under which the laws were enacted, noting that public confidence in the legislative process must be restored.
Pending the outcome of such an inquiry, the NBA called for an immediate suspension of all plans to implement the Tax Reform Acts, arguing that the prevailing legal and policy uncertainty could have far-reaching consequences for the country.
According to the NBA, uncertainty of this nature has the potential to unsettle the business environment, erode investor confidence, and create unpredictability for individuals, businesses, and institutions required to comply with the law. It warned that such instability is inimical to economic growth and has no place in a system anchored on the rule of law.
The Association further emphasized that Nigeria’s constitutional democracy requires that laws—particularly those with significant economic and social implications—must emanate from processes that are transparent, accountable, and beyond reproach.
Anything short of this, the NBA cautioned, undermines public trust and weakens the foundation of lawful governance.
The statement urged all relevant authorities to act swiftly and responsibly in addressing the controversy in the overriding interest of constitutional order, economic stability, and the preservation of the rule of law.
