Reps. Minority Caucus Demands Suspension of Tax LawsPSAN and 99 CSOs Support NASS’s Tax Reforms Act

On Monday, the Abuja High Court, a vacation court located in Abuja, began hearing a lawsuit to halt the execution of the new tax rules, which are scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2026.

Remember that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Tax Reforms Act after it was already approved by the National Assembly.

Due to alleged disparities in the tax laws, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney General of the Federation, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and National Assembly (defendants) have been brought before an Abuja High Court by Incorporated Trustees of African Initiative for Abuse Public Trustees (plaintiff).

In order to prevent the Federal Government, Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), National Assembly, or any of its agencies from implementing, carrying out, and/or enforcing any of the provisions of the gazetted Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025, or the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, the motion on notice.

Additionally, it is requesting an order of interim injunction to prevent the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, either directly or through any Federal Government agency established under the gazetted Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025, or Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, from carrying out the provisions of those Acts of the National Assembly in any state, if applicable.

“An order directing accelerated hearing and determination of the substantive originating summons” was another request made by the plaintiff. an order limiting the defendants’ time to submit any counter-affidavits to five days.

“An order allowing the plaintiff to serve the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth defendants with the original process and any other process filed and to be served in this suit by substituted means, namely: Upon the first and second defendants by delivering to the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja.” upon the fourth, fifth, and sixth defendants by handing them to the National Assembly Clerk’s Office in Abuja’s Three Arms Zone. an order declaring the substituted service to be appropriate and valid for the first, second, fourth, and fifth defendants as well as the sixth through forty-first defendants.

The National Assembly, the presidency, and Nigerians are awaiting the court’s decision on the injunction, which is scheduled for Monday.

Reps. Minority Caucus Demands Suspension of Tax Laws

In the meantime, the House of Representatives’ Minority Caucus has called for an urgent suspension of the recently passed Tax Reform Laws until clarity is created and cautioned Nigerians to ignore any unauthorized versions of the legislation.

The warning coincides with the escalating controversy over claims that the legislation, which were approved by both National Assembly chambers and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were illegally changed prior to being gazetted and made public. The claims, according to the caucus, pose a significant risk to legislative integrity and constitutional governance.

The caucus reassured Nigerians in a statement co-signed on Monday by the Minority Leader, Rep. O.K. 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, that it would assist the House in determining the full context of the accusations and guaranteeing accountability for those found guilty.

The Minority Caucus pointed out that a member of the House had officially brought up the issues during a recent plenary session, which led to the formation of a powerful committee to look into allegations that the Tax Reform Laws were improperly gazetted, fraudulently changed, and then distributed to the public.

The Caucus reminded Nigerians that the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) is in duty of sending genuine copies of passed laws to the federal office in charge of official gazetting, emphasizing established procedures for gazetting laws. By law, the National Assembly continues to be the guardian of the authentic versions of all federation laws.

The Caucus emphasized that any effort to disseminate amended or fraudulent legislation is a direct attack on the legislature’s independence and a danger to democratic governance.

Nigerians, including those in the business community, have a right to access the original and properly verified legislation that they must abide by.

The Minority Caucus urged the Federal Government to halt the implementation of the Tax Reform Laws until there is clarification and certainty regarding the genuine versions of the laws due to the ongoing investigation.

PSAN and 99 CSOs Support NASS’s Tax Reforms Act

In the meantime, at least 100 civil society organizations, including the Parliamentary Support and Advocacy Network (PSAN) and the Civil Rights Situation Room on Economic Reforms, supported the House of Representatives leadership on Monday in Abuja, especially Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, for their handling of the ongoing review of Nigeria’s historic tax reform laws.

During a news conference in Abuja, Comrade Ogiri John praised the leaders of the National Assembly.

At the press conference, the coalition praised the Speaker and the Senate President for responding to public concerns over the newly approved tax legislation in a “measured, constitutionally grounded, and institutionally exemplary” manner.

The Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 are the four main legislation that are being examined. They signify a significant reform of the nation’s fiscal structure.

Prior to their planned implementation on January 1, 2026, the legislation, which were approved by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu earlier in 2025, are meant to improve the investment climate, streamline tax administration, and increase revenue collection.

Allegations of differences between the publicly gazetted copies and the versions approved by lawmakers have sparked increased public discussion in recent weeks.

However, the coalition maintained that while this kind of examination is beneficial to democracy, it must be grounded in procedure and evidence.

In their joint speech, John said, “We are convinced that the response of the National Assembly leadership has been exemplary in its adherence to constitutionalism and institutional self-regulation, having undertaken a careful and dispassionate examination.”

They emphasized that the 1999 constitution (as modified), the Acts Authentication Act, and established parliamentary rules are all entirely in line with the acts of the Speaker Abbas-led House and the Senate leadership.

This is not an acknowledgement of any shortcomings or a weakening of authority. Instead, the coalition emphasized that it is an intentional exercise of institutional responsibility.

The direction to the Clerk of the National Assembly to facilitate the re-gazetting of the Acts and to supply certified true copies upon request was particularly commended by the coalition.

In order to “improve transparency, restore public confidence, and affirm that citizens and institutions must have unimpeachable access to the authentic law,” they said the action was crucial.

While defending the procedural method, Comrade John emphasized the importance of the revisions by saying, “The stakes are profound.” The fiscal architecture, economic incentives, investment climate, revenue mobilization, and prospects for inclusive growth of Nigeria will all be significantly shaped by these tax reform measures.

“Making laws with precision is a duty, not a delay.” Legal certainty is strength, not weakness.

Nigerians, opinion leaders, and other interested parties were urged by the coalition to be patient and let the constitutional revision process finish without undue pressure.

They emphasized their steadfast commitment to the rule of law and institutional integrity while reiterating their support for revolutionary economic reforms.

Abubakar Malami, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), appeared in court on Tuesday about accusations of money laundering made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to reports, Malami appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and another individual about accusations of money laundering.

However, they entered a not guilty plea to the 16-count accusation against them.
Recall that Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an acquaintance, Hajia Bashir Asabe, were charged with 16 counts by the EFCC before the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly laundering money and acquiring properties worth more over N8.7 billion illegally.

The defendants were charged in charge sheet FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025 with conspiring to use bank accounts, corporate fronts, and real estate transactions over the course of almost ten years to conceal, disguise, retain, and indirectly gain proceeds of illicit operations.

Malami was the country’s chief law officer when the accused offenses were allegedly committed between 2015 and 2025, mostly in Abuja.

Malami and his son reportedly utilized Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to hide the illegal source of N1.014 billion held in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025, according to the charge submitted by the EFCC and signed by a prosecution team headed by Chief J.S. Okutepa, SAN.

The commission also said that between September 2020 and February 2021, an additional N600.01 million was hidden in the same account.

The defendants were also charged by the EFCC with keeping N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million loan given to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd. by Sterling Bank Plc, even though they were reportedly aware that the money came from illegal activity.

In a different count, the anti-graft agency said that the defendants indirectly gained control of N1.36 billion paid through Meethaq Hotels Ltd.’s Union Bank account between November 2022 and October 2025, money they allegedly knew to be illegal.

The Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 are allegedly violated by the suspected conduct, according to the EFCC.

To bolster its case, the anti-graft agency has named a number of witnesses, including detectives, bank employees, bureau de change operators, and business representatives.

In response to a directive from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Delta State Government has encouraged suitably qualified young people in the state, both male and female, to take advantage of the ongoing recruitment of constables into the Nigeria Police Force.

Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq., Director-General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, made the request in a statement released on behalf of the state government. He revealed that the Police Service Commission (PSC) has started accepting applications for the enlistment of police constables across the country.

The announcement claims that qualified Nigerians are eligible for the recruiting process, with prospective youngsters from Delta State receiving extra encouragement.

Applications can be filed online at https://npfapplication.psc.gov.ng, the official Nigeria Police recruitment portal, for free.

According to Dr. Oghenesivbe, the Delta State Government is mobilizing and urging all eligible candidates from the state to apply as soon as possible through the State Awareness Creation Committee on Youth Enlistment into Military and Paramilitary Services.

Additionally, the committee is required to give candidates the appropriate direction and support during the hiring process.

He pointed out that the exercise is in line with Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, JP’s job and wealth development strategy, which aims to increase young employment possibilities and bolster national security.

The employment platform will close on January 25, 2026, having opened on December 15, 2025.

Medical assistants, drivers, mechanics, auto electricians, forensic assistants, robotics and drone operators, EOD-CBRN operatives, dog handlers, horse riders, marine and boat technicians, artisans, information technology personnel, communication specialists, band men, and suppliers of musical equipment are just a few of the specialized positions covered by the exercise.

While specialist candidates must be older than 28, regular duty applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 25.

Applicants for general duty must have completed at least five credits in GCE Ordinary Level, SSCE, NECO, or comparable exams in no more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics.

A minimum of three years of experience in their chosen professions, applicable trade test certificates, and four credits, including English and math, are required of specialist applicants.

All candidates must be citizens of Nigeria by birth, have a working phone number and email address, be of good character, and have no criminal history.

Physical and mental fitness, the submission of two character referees, and adherence to the required height and chest measures for general duty applicants are additional requirements.

Pregnancy is prohibited for female applicants both throughout the training period and at the time of entrance.

“As part of the recruitment process, all applicants will undergo aptitude tests, background checks, and physical and medical examinations,” Dr. Oghenesivbe said.

Throughout the recruitment process, the Delta State Government wishes all candidates of Delta State origin success.