News
Reps Minority Panel Uncovers Alleged Tampering with Gazetted Tax Laws, Seeks Deeper Probe
By Gloria Ikibah
A Minority Caucus ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives has raised serious concerns over alleged illegal alterations to Nigeria’s newly gazetted tax laws, warning that the discrepancies uncovered amount to an attack on the constitutional authority of the National Assembly.
The interim findings were presented on 23 January 2026, following widespread public outrage triggered by claims that the versions of certain tax laws circulating in the public domain differed from those duly passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President.
The controversy came to light after a member of the House, Rep. Abdulsamad Dasuki, alerted lawmakers on the floor of the House to what he described as the circulation of an “authorised version different from the one passed by the National Assembly”.
In response, the Minority Caucus issued a statement on 28 December 2025, vowing to “unconditionally protect the independence of the Legislature and our democracy”, while warning that “any attempt to foist fake laws on Nigerians” constituted a direct assault on the legislature’s constitutional role.
To get to the bottom of the matter, the Minority Caucus, led by Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda, constituted a seven-man fact-finding committee on 2 January 2026. The committee, chaired by Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, was tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged alterations. Other members include Rep. Aliyu Garu, Rep. Stanley Adedeji, Rep. Ibe Osonwa, Rep. Marie Ebikake, Rep. MB Shehu Fagge and Rep. Gaza Gbefwi Jonathan.
Barely a day later, on 3 January 2026, the House of Representatives announced decisive steps to address the growing concerns. In a statement issued by the House spokesperson, Rep. Akintunde Rotimi, it was disclosed that the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, had ordered the public release of the four tax reform Acts signed into law by the President.
The statement said the move was aimed at “public record, verification, and reference” and added that the Speaker had also directed an internal verification and the immediate release of the Certified Acts “to eliminate doubts, restore clarity, and protect the sanctity of the legislature”.
The Acts released include the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025. According to the House, “the Clerk to the National Assembly has concluded the process of aligning the Acts – duly passed, assented to, and certified – with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure accuracy, conformity, and uniformity”.
In its preliminary findings, the Minority Caucus committee said a comparison of the Certified True Copies released by the House with the versions earlier gazetted confirmed that alterations had indeed occurred. The committee stated that “there were some alterations as alleged by Rep. Dasuki on the floor of the House of Representatives, especially in the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025”, adding that “there were three different versions of the documents in circulation”.
The panel described the directive to align the Acts with the Government Printing Press as “a clear indication that there were some procedural anomalies in the previously gazetted version that illegally encroached on the core mandate of the National Assembly”.
The committee highlighted several contentious sections of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025. On reporting thresholds, it noted that while the version passed by lawmakers set the threshold at ₦50 million for individuals and ₦100 million for companies, the gazetted version reduced these figures to ₦25 million for individuals and ₦100 million for companies. The committee described this as “a clear case of the Executive undermining legislative powers by illegally altering an already passed law to drag more taxpayers into the net”.
It also faulted the introduction of new subsections requiring taxpayers to deposit 20 per cent of disputed tax sums before appealing tribunal decisions, provisions which it said “were not in the authentic version passed by NASS”.
Further concerns were raised over expanded enforcement powers, including arrest and asset sales without court orders, changes to the definition of federal taxes, and a clause mandating tax computations for petroleum operations in US dollars rather than “the currency of the transaction” as approved by lawmakers.
Similar issues were identified in the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, where oversight provisions granting the National Assembly powers to summon officials and demand reports were reportedly removed.
The committee said this was done “in total disregard and disrespect of the institution of the National Assembly and the doctrine of checks and balances”.
Given what it described as “the anomalies, illegalities, and impunity observed”, the committee concluded that the evidence uncovered so far justified a more extensive investigation. It has therefore requested additional time to conduct a thorough probe and ensure accountability “for the affront against the legislature”.
The committee expressed gratitude to the Minority Caucus leadership for the opportunity to serve, describing the assignment as a duty to democracy and the rule of law.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, mother of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy LoveWorld Nation fame, is dead.
Reports from Edo State say that she died at the age of 88 yesterday, Friday, September 25, 2026.
A local publication, Esan News Magazine, reported thus:
“An Iroko has fallen. A mother of nations is gone. Heaven has gained a saint.
According to information made available to Esan News Magazine by a prominent member of the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele, Ewu, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, the matriarch of the great Oyakhilome Clan, the beloved mother of our son Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, fondly called Big Mummy, has transited to glory.
September, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, humility and motherhood that touched generations across the world.
“Big Mummy was not just the mother of Pastor Chris. She was the mother of all. A virtuous woman, a prayer warrior, a woman of uncommon grace who raised children that have become global blessings and pride to Esan land.
“Idunwele Ewu is mourning. Ekagholo Family is mourning. Ewu Kingdom is mourning. Esanland is mourning. For we have lost an Okpokhuo, a true jewel of Esan motherhood.
“Her life was a testimony. She lived for God, she lived for family, she lived for humanity. Her laughter brought joy. Her prayers brought strength. Her counsel brought wisdom.
“On behalf of the management and staff of Esan News Magazine and the entire Esan Nation home and abroad, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to our dear elder brother, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the entire Oyakhilome Clan, the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele Ewu, and the Christ Embassy family worldwide.
“We mourn with you in this time of grief. We stand with you. We pray that the good Lord who called Mama home will grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“May her gentle, beautiful and faithful soul rest in perfect peace. Rest on, Big Mummy. Rest on, beloved mother of Pastor Chris. Rest on, Iroko of Ewu.
“Adieu Mama!”
Meanwhile, a senior official of Christ Embassy who was contacted by News Express this Saturday afternoon neither confirmed nor denied the report.
He said: “I have heard the news, too, but it is not for me to confirm her death. I mean, she was aged 88.”
The official promised to make relevant contacts, adding: “I am sure that a statement would be issued if the news is true.”
Six inmates die in one week amid suspected cholera outbreak in Kano prison
Painful: Blessing CEO Loses Son While Still In Kirikiri Prison
SAD: Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s mother is dead
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