Hallowmace Foundation has called for an independent investigation into the allegations of alteration of tax reform laws and suspension of its implementation
Hallowmace Foundation Africa has called for an urgent investigation into allegations that recently passed tax reform laws were altered without the approval of the National Assembly, demanding the immediate suspension of their implementation pending the outcome of a probe.
The group made the call on Friday in a statement jointly signed by Executive Director of the foundation, Amb. Anderson Osiebe and Amb. Oguh Hyginus John, Head of Public Communication of Hallowmace Foundation Africa.
The non-governmental organisation said it was alarmed by claims from lawmakers that versions of the tax reform laws currently being circulated by the Federal Ministry of Information differ from those passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
Describing the allegations as a grave threat to constitutional governance, the foundation warned that any post-enactment modification of laws without legislative approval would amount to a “severe breach of constitutional due process” and an erosion of the doctrine of separation of powers.
“The legislative process is sacrosanct,” the statement said. “Any amendment to a bill after its passage by the National Assembly and presidential assent, without recourse to the legislature for approval, is constitutionally defective, legally null and void, and sets a dangerous precedent for administrative overreach.”
Hallowmace Foundation noted that the alleged discrepancies have created legal uncertainty, which could negatively affect businesses, investors and citizens expected to comply with the laws.
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Calling for decisive action, the organisation urged the constitution of an independent and transparent investigation to establish the authenticity of the assented copies of the laws in comparison with the versions in circulation.
“We call for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into these serious allegations,” the foundation said. “This should be conducted by a credible joint committee of the National Assembly or an independent judicial panel to determine whether unauthorized alterations were made, and if so, how and by whom.”
The group also demanded that the implementation and enforcement of the affected tax reform laws be suspended with immediate effect.
“Proceeding with potentially illegitimate laws is an affront to the rule of law and places an undue burden on Nigerians based on a flawed foundation,” it stated.
In addition, Hallowmace Foundation called on the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Information to urgently address the controversy by making public the original versions of the laws as assented to by the President.
“We urge the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Information to publicly clarify this discrepancy without delay and to make the authentic, original versions of the assented laws publicly available to dispel the growing cloud of doubt,” the statement added.
Executive Director of the foundation, Amb. Osiebe, stressed that public trust in democratic institutions must be protected at all costs.
“Governance must be conducted with integrity and strict adherence to the provisions of the Constitution,” Osiebe said. “Allowing such serious allegations to go uninvestigated erodes public confidence and opens the door to legal chaos.”
The organisation said it stands with concerned lawmakers and Nigerians in demanding accountability, vowing to closely monitor developments and continue to advocate for constitutional supremacy and institutional integrity.
