The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has raised serious concerns over controversies surrounding the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts, warning that the issues cast doubt on the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA said the developments strike at the core of constitutional governance and threaten the procedural sanctity required in a democratic lawmaking system.
According to the association, the circumstances surrounding the passage of the Tax Reform Acts demand urgent scrutiny, stressing that public confidence in the National Assembly and the rule of law could be eroded if the matter is left unresolved.
“The Nigerian Bar Association considers it imperative that a comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation be conducted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the enactment of the laws and to restore public confidence in the legislative process,” the statement read.
The NBA called for an immediate suspension of the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts pending the outcome of a thorough investigation, noting that the scale of uncertainty created by the controversy poses significant legal and economic risks.
The association warned that unresolved questions surrounding the validity of the laws could destabilise the business environment, weaken investor confidence, and create compliance challenges for individuals, businesses, and institutions required to operate under the new tax framework.
“Legal and policy uncertainty of this magnitude has far-reaching consequences. It unsettles the business environment, erodes investor confidence, and creates unpredictability,” the NBA stated, adding that such conditions are incompatible with economic stability and the rule of law.
Emphasising the principles of constitutional democracy, the NBA stressed that laws with major economic and social implications must emerge from processes that are transparent, accountable, and beyond reproach.
The association urged all relevant authorities to act swiftly and responsibly to resolve the controversy, warning that failure to do so could undermine public trust in governance and weaken Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“The overriding interest of constitutional order, economic stability, and the preservation of the rule of law must guide all actions taken in addressing this matter,” the statement concluded.
SOURCE: asabametro.com
