Breaking News
President Tinubu To Publish Certified Copies of Tax Laws in Seven Days
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has given President Bola Tinubu a seven-day deadline to ensure the public release of certified true copies of recently enacted federal tax laws, following allegations that the legislations may have been altered after approval by the National Assembly.
In a Freedom of Information request dated December 20, 2025, SERAP called on the President to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to immediately publish the certified versions of the tax bills transmitted by the National Assembly, as well as the final laws assented to and gazetted by the Federal Government.
The organisation identified four major legislations at the centre of the controversy: the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Nigeria Tax Act.
SERAP also demanded an official explanation on whether the bills passed by lawmakers are exactly the same as the versions signed into law and later gazetted, warning that any inconsistencies would amount to a serious breach of constitutional governance, the rule of law and the doctrine of separation of powers.
In addition to public disclosure, SERAP called for the constitution of an independent investigative panel, to be chaired by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal, to probe allegations that key provisions were added, removed or amended without legislative approval.
The group insisted that the panel’s findings should be made public and that anyone found responsible should face prosecution.
The demand follows concerns raised by the National Assembly, which has reportedly claimed that certain provisions appearing in the gazetted tax laws were never approved during legislative deliberations.
A lawmaker from Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, raised the issue on the floor of the House under a matter of privilege, alleging significant differences between the harmonised bills passed by both chambers and the versions eventually published by the Federal Government.
According to SERAP, lawmakers have pointed out the alleged removal of critical oversight and accountability safeguards, as well as the insertion of new enforcement and fiscal powers, including arrest authority, garnishment without court orders and mandatory dollar-based assessments, all without parliamentary consent.
SERAP described the alleged alterations as unconstitutional, arguing that withholding authentic copies of the laws violates citizens’ right to information as guaranteed under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The organisation warned that failure by the Federal Government to comply within seven days of receiving its request would leave it with no option but to initiate legal action to compel disclosure in the public interest.
SERAP maintained that making the certified true copies publicly available would enable Nigerians to properly examine the laws, evaluate their implications for human rights and governance, and challenge any unlawful provisions through appropriate legal channels.
Breaking News
Ogun State Government Announces Pension, Gratuity Backlog Clearance Between 2012 and 2020
The Ogun State Government has announced the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears owed to workers who retired between 2012 and 2020, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Okubadejo explained that the backlog was linked to the Defined Benefits Scheme, under which retirees receive monthly pension payments, stressing that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has not defaulted on pension obligations since assuming office.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have not missed a single month of pension payment. What we inherited were arrears tied to the Defined Benefits Scheme,” he said.
According to him, annual pension payments rose from ₦6.7 billion in 2019 to ₦20 billion in 2025, with projections showing a possible increase to ₦40 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that the state had so far paid ₦23.3 billion in gratuities covering retirees from 2012 to 2020, alongside ₦32.8 billion in outstanding gratuities for local government retirees inherited by the administration.
Okubadejo added that between 2019 and July 2, 2025, the state disbursed ₦93.26 billion in pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme and ₦94.78 billion to local government pensioners.
He assured that the remaining backlog would be cleared as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) continues to improve, noting that over 300 workers who retired in July 2025 are currently receiving six-month palliatives pending the completion of their pension documentation.
The commissioner also described the newly approved Additional Pension Benefits (APB) as the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that amendments to the state’s pension law would be pursued to formally integrate the scheme.
On the state’s fiscal outlook, Okubadejo revealed that the 2026 budget increased from ₦1.054 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.668 trillion, while Ogun’s economy expanded from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦18.96 trillion in 2026.
He added that IGR grew from ₦50 billion in 2019 to ₦240 billion in 2025, with projections of ₦512 billion this year.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the 2026 budget reflects strong fiscal reforms, noting an 85 per cent budget execution rate in 2024 and sustained financial stability.
Other commissioners highlighted sectoral achievements, including massive road construction, increased healthcare funding, rail extension plans, education support programmes, and expanded housing projects across the state.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s future and vote for a change in leadership.
Obi spoke at a meeting with Hausa/Fulani chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We have to talk about the future of our country. All of you know what is happening to our country today. That’s why we are campaigning that you vote out this government,” he said.
He described the situation in Nigeria as dire, citing insecurity, hunger and hardship.
“today we have insecurity across Nigeria. We have hunger across Nigeria. We are suffering across Nigeria. The only thing that is working in Nigeria today is bad news. Every morning you wake up is bad news,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said a new administration would prioritize social services.
“We’re urging you to vote for a change and bring a new Nigeria, where our children will be in school. Our hospitals will work,” he added.
Obi also questioned government spending priorities, particularly in the health sector.
“today, if you’re sick in Nigeria you’re praying to Almighty God because we’re now in a country where our president spends 360 billion to buy and refit his plane and spends 36 million in capital vote for the Ministry of Health. There’s nothing working,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to usher in what he described as a “new Nigeria” focused on improving citizens’ welfare and restoring key public services.
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