Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has raised serious concerns over the controversies trailing the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts, warning that the issues threaten the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s lawmaking process.
President, Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, in a statement on Tuesday, said the unfolding developments cast doubt on the integrity of the legislative procedures that produced the laws, describing the situation as one that strikes at the core of constitutional governance in a democratic society.
According to the association, restoring public confidence requires urgent action. It insisted that a thorough, open and transparent investigation must be carried out to clarify how the laws were enacted and to address the concerns surrounding the process. Pending the outcome of such an inquiry, the NBA called for an immediate suspension of all plans to implement the Tax Reform Acts.
The association warned that unresolved legal and policy uncertainty of this scale could have damaging consequences for the economy. It noted that uncertainty over the validity and clarity of the laws could unsettle the business environment, weaken investor confidence and create confusion for individuals, businesses and institutions expected to comply with the reforms.
The NBA President stressed that Nigeria’s constitutional democracy demands that laws — particularly those with wide-reaching economic and social implications — must be products of processes that are transparent, accountable and beyond reproach. Anything less, it said, undermines public trust and weakens the foundation of lawful governance.
Calling on relevant authorities to act without delay, the association urged swift and responsible steps to resolve the controversy in the interest of constitutional order, economic stability and the preservation of the rule of law.