The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for a comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the enactment of the Tax Reform Acts.
This was contained in a statement by the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, on Tuesday.
He urged all plans for the implementation to be suspended until the issues are fully examined and resolved.
According to him, the controversies trailing the laws raise serious concerns about the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process.
“The Nigerian Bar Association @NigBarAssoc 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.
“Until these issues are fully examined and resolved, all plans for the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be immediately suspended.”
He stated that the developments strike at the core of constitutional governance and risk undermining public confidence in the lawmaking process.
“The controversies that have emerged in relation to the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts raise grave concerns about the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process. These developments strike at the very heart of constitutional governance and call into question the procedural sanctity that must attend lawmaking in a democratic society.”
The NBA warned that legal and policy uncertainty arising from the controversy has far-reaching consequences for the country.
It noted that doubts surrounding major fiscal legislation could unsettle the business environment, weaken investor confidence, and create unpredictability for individuals, businesses, and institutions required to comply with the law.
The association stressed that such uncertainty is inimical to economic stability and incompatible with the rule of law.
Calling on relevant authorities to act swiftly, the NBA urged that the controversy be addressed responsibly in the overriding interest of constitutional order, economic stability, and the preservation of the rule of law.