The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has appealed for calm amid claims that Nigeria’s tax laws were altered after passage, urging the public to allow the National Assembly to complete its investigation.
Oyedele made the appeal on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, as controversy continued to trail allegations of unauthorised changes to sections of the tax legislation.
He cautioned against speculation, noting that discussions based on unverified documents and claims could be misleading. According to him, lawmakers are best positioned to determine whether any alterations occurred and if such changes were material.
Oyedele said public debate should not be driven by documents whose sources remain unclear, stressing that some of the allegations circulating in the public space could not be properly traced or authenticated.
Responding to claims that the revised tax laws granted tax authorities fresh powers to arrest citizens through law enforcement agencies, Oyedele clarified that such powers were not new and already existed under the current legal framework.
He explained that tax authorities have long had the power to investigate tax-related matters and to seek assistance from security agencies, including the police, when necessary.
“My view is that we should allow the lawmakers to conduct their investigation and decide what constitutes a substantial alteration, and what steps should follow, rather than speculating based on unverified claims,” Oyedele said.
He added that he was not attempting to justify any wrongdoing if alterations were eventually confirmed, but maintained that conclusions should only be drawn after the investigation establishes the facts surrounding the controversy.