The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has raised the alarm over alleged clandestine alterations in Nigeria’s newly gazetted tax laws, warning that the development, if proven, constitutes a grave breach of the Constitution and a threat to democratic governance.
The Islamic body expressed concern over what it described as disturbing discrepancies between tax reform bills duly passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted and presented to the public.
Its position followed allegations raised on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday by Abdulsamad Dasuki, who claimed that clauses not debated or approved by lawmakers appeared in the final tax laws assented to by the President.
In a statement on Thursday signed by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the SCSN said it viewed the allegations with utmost seriousness, stressing that any such alterations would amount to a fundamental constitutional violation with far-reaching implications.
“The Council notes with utmost seriousness the allegation that additional clauses and other substantial material alterations appearing in the gazetted tax laws signed by the President were neither debated nor approved by the National Assembly,” the statement read.
“If established, this represents a grave and egregious constitutional infraction with far-reaching implications for democracy, governance, economic stability, and public trust.”
The Council disclosed that it actively monitored and participated in the legislative process leading to the passage of the tax reform bills, noting that its engagement was guided by the need to ensure fairness, equity, transparency, constitutional compliance and the protection of public interest.
According to the SCSN, the tax reforms carry profound implications for ordinary Nigerians, businesses, and religious, social and economic obligations, making any deviation from due legislative process unacceptable.
It said it was shocked by claims that provisions debated and agreed upon by Nigerians through their elected representatives may have been altered at the executive stage, describing such an act, if confirmed, as tampering with the sovereign will of the people.
“Such action, if established, amounts to tampering with the sovereign will of the Nigerian people and undermines the very foundation of constitutional governance,” the Council warned.
The SCSN called on the leadership of the National Assembly, particularly the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas, and the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to urgently intervene before the laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
It demanded an open and unhindered comparison between the harmonised bills passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and the versions eventually gazetted, to determine the nature, extent and impact of the alleged alterations.
Warning of dire consequences, the Council said the alleged infractions could erode public trust, weaken the doctrine of separation of powers, expose the laws to constitutional challenges, trigger economic uncertainty and discourage investors.
“Most critically, they set a dangerous precedent where laws become negotiable instruments rather than binding outcomes of democratic deliberation,” it added.
Emphasising the compulsory nature of taxation, the SCSN argued that tax laws require the highest level of constitutional integrity and procedural fidelity, insisting that Nigerians cannot be expected to comply with fiscal obligations arising from laws whose authenticity is in doubt.
The Council urged all relevant authorities to treat the matter with urgency, sincerity and transparency to safeguard constitutional order and institutional credibility.
“Nigeria’s democracy must not be undermined by executive overreach or procedural shortcuts. The will of the people, as expressed through the National Assembly, must be respected and defended,” the statement concluded.
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