The Chairman of the Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee on alleged alterations in the Tax Reform Acts, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has cautioned that dismissing the committee’s interim report could encourage impunity and undermine the integrity of the National Assembly.

In a statement dated January 25, 2026, Ogene reacted to comments credited to the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, who reportedly said the Minority Caucus committee’s interim findings had been overtaken by events following the release of the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the Tax Reform Acts.

Ogene said he was particularly concerned by the remarks because of the responsibilities attached to the office of House spokesperson, stressing that such a position should defend the credibility of the legislature rather than appear to speak for the executive arm of government.

He clarified that the Minority Caucus committee’s interim report did not indict the National Assembly or question its legislative process, but instead exposed what he described as illegal post-passage alterations carried out by external actors, which he said threatened the functional integrity and independence of the legislature.

The lawmaker further noted that, aside from the Minority Caucus committee, the House leadership had also set up another panel chaired by Rt. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara to compare the versions of the Tax Acts passed by the House with the gazetted copies. He questioned why that committee was still sitting if, as claimed, the matter had already been resolved by the release of the CTCs.

According to Ogene, the release of the certified copies does not erase the fact that the interim report uncovered serious interference by elements within the government bureaucracy, which he said compromised key legislative documents and embarrassed the National Assembly.

He warned that dismissing the findings without accountability would only embolden future violations of legislative procedures and weaken democratic institutions.

Ogene expressed confidence, however, that the House leadership under Speaker Abbas Tajudeen would continue to defend the independence of the legislature and ensure that the public interest is protected.

Ogene chairs the Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee on Tax Laws in the House of Representatives.