Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday, dismissed the allegation that the newly implemented tax laws were altered after their passage by the National Assembly.
He insisted that the versions gazetted and signed into law accurately captured the decisions taken by lawmakers in both chambers.
The Senate President stated this during plenary while responding to claims by Abdussamad Dakuku, a member of the House of Representatives.
Dakuku had alleged that the tax reform bills approved by parliament differed from copies later made available to the public.
Akpabio however said such claims were unfounded, stressing that only documents issued and certified by the National Assembly should be regarded as authentic.
He said any version circulating outside official channels does not represent the outcome of legislative business.
Akpabio said the final texts of the laws emerged from extensive consideration in the Senate and the House, followed by harmonisation of differences between the two chambers.
“I understand that there is another version that was circulating around, which was not in compliance with what was contained in our votes and proceedings,” he said.
He added that there was “no adulteration whatsoever” in the laws eventually signed by the president.
Akpabio disclosed that four tax related acts had successfully completed the legislative process, adding that the bills were passed by the National Assembly, assented to by President Bola Tinubu, and subsequently gazetted.
The Senate President noted further that the documents were also certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly.
“The four acts are ready and gazetted and signed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly to avoid confusion,” he said.
Akpabio directed the Clerk of the Senate to distribute certified copies of the tax reform acts to all senators, saying each lawmaker present would receive a copy, while those absent would be given theirs later.
He warned that the documents must not be released through unofficial sources.
Akpabio said restricting circulation to the clerk’s office would help curb speculation and misinformation.
He further explained that the gazetted versions incorporate proceedings of both chambers, including agreements reached during harmonisation, before transmission for presidential assent.
Meanwhile, the Senate deferred consideration of the report of its committee on electoral matters.
The postponement, according to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, was partly due to the absence of the committee chairman, Simon Lalong.
Bamidele said although copies of the report had been circulated, Senators needed additional time to study the document.
He added that further deliberations, including a closed session, would be scheduled to examine key provisions.
Akpabio supported the delay, adding that the Senate would rather be meticulous than hurried.
“We don’t need to rush the report, due process and fairness would guide the chamber’s decision”, he said.
