The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has constituted a seven-member fact-finding committee to investigate allegations that tax reform laws passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President were unlawfully altered before being gazetted by the executive arm of government.
The decision was announced on Friday amid growing controversy over claims that the versions of the tax laws published in the Federal Government Gazette differ from those approved by both chambers of the National Assembly, even as the executive insists on implementing the laws from January 1, 2026.
In a statement signed by the Minority Leader, Rep. O.K. Chinda, the caucus said the committee was set up after consultations with relevant stakeholders to “get to the root of all the issues surrounding this scandal.”
The opposition lawmakers said they owed Nigerians an independent and unbiased inquiry into the matter to establish the facts and determine whether any infractions occurred in the gazetting process.
According to the statement, the committee is mandated to obtain copies of the tax laws as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives and assented to by the President; retrieve the Federal Government Gazette containing the allegedly forged versions; scrutinise and compare both documents; and recommend appropriate actions to the Minority Caucus if any wrongdoing is established.
Hon. Afam Ogene will chair the committee, with Hon. Gaza Gbefwi Jonathan, Hon. M.B. Shehu Fagge, Hon. Aliyu Garu, Hon. Stanley Adedeji, Hon. Ibe Okwara and Hon. Marie Ibikake serving as members.
The caucus said the panel has seven days to conclude its assignment and submit its report to the leadership.
Reaffirming its role as the opposition bloc in the House, the Minority Caucus said it remained committed to protecting the interests of Nigerians and ensuring that citizens, particularly the poor and vulnerable, are not short-changed.
The statement was jointly endorsed by Rep. Chinda; the Minority Whip, Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C; the Deputy Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki; and the Deputy Minority Whip, Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi.