Secret Alterations to Tax Reform Laws Spark Constitutional Crisis Fears

A massive shadow has been cast over Nigeria’s legislative integrity following allegations that the recently approved tax reform laws were clandestinely altered after passing through the National Assembly. The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, popularly known as CHRICED, has raised a piercing alarm, characterizing the alleged tampering as a calculated attempt to hijack the sovereign will of the Nigerian people. In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday, the organization’s Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, warned that the situation represents a direct assault on the nation’s democratic foundations.

The controversy erupted following a whistleblowing move by Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki, a lawmaker representing Sokoto under the PDP. Dasuki asserted that the final versions of the tax laws, which are now being prepared for implementation, contain several draconian provisions that were never debated or voted upon by the floor of the House. This discrepancy has fueled fears of a “legislative forgery” ring operating within the corridors of power, capable of rewriting laws behind closed doors before they receive presidential assent.

According to CHRICED, these unauthorized inclusions are far from benign clerical errors; they are substantive shifts in fiscal policy that could cripple Nigerian businesses and individuals. Among the most contentious additions is a rule reportedly granting tax authorities the power to seize private funds without a court order. Furthermore, the altered documents allegedly mandate that taxpayers must pay a staggering 20 percent of any disputed tax amount upfront before they are even allowed to lodge an appeal—a move critics say effectively closes the doors of justice to the less wealthy.

The organization also highlighted a strange new requirement that forces certain taxes to be calculated exclusively in United States dollars, a move that could place immense pressure on the already volatile local currency. Additional unauthorized tweaks were reportedly found in sections governing Petroleum Income Tax and Value Added Tax. CHRICED argues that these changes constitute an act of extreme impunity, suggesting that the lawmaking process has been criminally compromised by interests that bypass the constitutional mandate of the National Assembly.

Invoking Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, the rights group reminded the government that once a bill has cleared the legislative chambers, no authority on earth has the power to modify its text without returning it to the lawmakers for a fresh vote. Any post-passage alteration is not just a breach of protocol but a fundamental violation of the supreme law of the land. The group maintains that allowing such a precedent to stand would turn the Constitution into a mere suggestion rather than a binding contract between the state and its citizens.

While the Speaker of the House has moved to establish a seven-man ad hoc committee to investigate the claims, CHRICED remains skeptical of an internal probe. The organization is calling for a full, independent, and time-bound investigation that is not controlled by any individuals who might be implicated in the scandal. They have cautioned against a “whitewash” or a situation where the truth is buried under layers of bureaucracy. The group’s leadership insists that the findings must be made public to restore any semblance of trust in the legislative process.

The silence from the Presidency and the Senate has also come under fire. Over 48 hours after the allegations surfaced, the lack of a formal response from the upper chamber or the executive branch is being viewed by activists as a “dangerous inaction.” CHRICED believes this silence is an insult to the electorate, suggesting that those in power may be hoping the issue simply fades from public memory. They have demanded the immediate suspension of all affected tax laws until a definitive truth is established regarding the authenticity of the text.

The call for accountability extends beyond mere investigations. CHRICED is demanding that any official found responsible for these alterations—regardless of their rank or political influence—should be immediately removed from office, arrested, and prosecuted for constitutional breach and forgery. They believe that only firm, punitive action can deter future attempts to subvert the legislative process. The group is also advocating for the creation of new institutional safeguards to ensure that no law can ever again be modified in secret after it has been passed.

Civil society groups, labor unions, and the media are now being urged to form a united front against what is being described as a “moment that will define Nigeria’s future.” CHRICED’s plea is for all Nigerians to remain vigilant and reject any attempt to sweep the matter under the carpet. They argue that if the integrity of the lawmaking process is lost, the country’s democracy becomes a mere formality where the rule of law is replaced by the whims of a few powerful actors working in the shadows.