Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed allegations that the new tax laws were altered after approval by the national assembly.
The senate president addressed the controversy on Wednesday during plenary, following claims of inconsistencies between the tax reform bills passed by lawmakers and publicly circulated copies.
Akpabio stated that any document outside the officially certified versions should be ignored as it does not reflect the national assembly’s deliberations.
He emphasised that the versions signed into law and gazetted accurately capture the legislative proceedings in both 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,” Akpabio said, assuring that there was “no adulteration whatsoever” in the final laws.
“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 (CNA) to avoid confusion,” he said.
“The documents reflect resolutions from harmonisation between the senate and the house of representatives.
“So every senator is expected to go home with one today,” he said, adding that absentees would receive their copies directly.”
He stressed that only the clerk should distribute the documents to prevent speculation.
Akpabio noted that the final texts incorporated proceedings from both chambers, including outcomes from the harmonisation committee, before presidential assent was given.