The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has called for the immediate verification of recently enacted tax laws amid reports of discrepancies between bills passed by the National Assembly and the gazetted Acts in circulation.
In a statement by its President, Innocent C. Ohagwa, the institute warned that even minor alterations in tax legislation could have serious legal, economic, and governance consequences.
It stressed that tax laws require the highest level of precision because they directly affect government revenue, businesses, investors, professionals, and citizens.
CITN noted that any deviation from versions duly debated and approved by lawmakers could create legal uncertainty, compliance risks, and unintended liabilities for taxpayers.
If confirmed, such discrepancies could also undermine legislative authority, weaken public confidence in democratic institutions, and erode trust in the tax system.
The Institute stressed that the Constitution and established parliamentary practice require that laws assented to and gazetted must be identical to those passed by the National Assembly.
Any post-passage modification, it said, must follow constitutionally recognised procedures to preserve the rule of law and the separation of powers.
To restore confidence, CITN urged relevant authorities to urgently compare the versions passed by the legislature with the enrolled and gazetted Acts, provide clear public clarification where discrepancies exist, and take prompt corrective action.
