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The Nigerian Bar Association has demanded the suspension of the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts, citing serious concerns over the integrity and transparency of Nigeria’s lawmaking process.
The association warned that proceeding with implementation amid unresolved controversies could undermine constitutional governance and erode public trust.
In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA said the issues surrounding the Tax Reform Acts “strike at the very heart of constitutional governance” and threaten confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“The Nigerian Bar Association 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,” Osigwe said.
Pending such an inquiry, the NBA called for an immediate halt to all plans for implementing the new tax laws.
“Until these issues are fully examined and resolved, all plans for the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be immediately suspended,” the statement added.
The association highlighted the wider economic consequences of legal and policy uncertainty, warning that it “unsettles the business environment, erodes investor confidence, and creates unpredictability for individuals, businesses, and institutions required to comply with the law.”
“Nigeria’s constitutional democracy demands that laws, especially those with profound economic and social implications, emerge from processes that are transparent, accountable, and beyond reproach. Anything short of this undermines public trust and weakens the foundation upon which lawful governance rests,” Osigwe said.
The NBA urged all relevant authorities to act swiftly and responsibly in addressing the controversy, emphasising that this is essential for constitutional order, economic stability, and the preservation of the rule of law.
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