NBA, Atiku Demand Suspension of Tax Reform Acts Over Alleged Illegal Alterations - Newstrends
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NBA, Atiku Demand Suspension of Tax Reform Acts Over Alleged Illegal Alterations

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Former Vice President of Nigeria, AlhajiĀ Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President of Nigeria, AlhajiĀ Atiku Abubakar

NBA, Atiku Demand Suspension of Tax Reform Acts Over Alleged Illegal Alterations

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have raised serious concerns over alleged post-legislative alterations to the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts, calling for the immediate suspension of their implementation pending a full investigation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned that the controversy surrounding the laws poses a grave threat to the integrity, transparency and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process, stressing that the matter strikes at the core of constitutional governance.

Osigwe called for a comprehensive, open and transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the enactment of the laws and to restore public confidence. He insisted that until the issues are fully examined and resolved, implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be suspended immediately.

The NBA further cautioned that the legal and policy uncertainty generated by the controversy could destabilise the business environment, weaken investor confidence, and create unpredictability for individuals and organisations expected to comply with the laws.

Similarly, Atiku Abubakar described the alleged alterations as a ā€œgrave assault on legislative supremacy,ā€ accusing the Bola Tinubu-led executive of unlawfully inserting coercive enforcement provisions, imposing harsher financial obligations on citizens, and removing key accountability mechanisms without National Assembly approval.

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The controversy followed claims by a Sokoto lawmaker, Abdussamad Dasuki, that the version of the tax laws gazetted by the Federal Government differed from the final copy passed by lawmakers and transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent. In response, the House of Representatives last week constituted a seven-member committee to probe the allegations.

As the laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, Atiku joined growing calls for the executive to halt their implementation while the legislature completes its investigation.

Both Atiku and the NBA urged the National Assembly to correct any unlawful changes and hold those responsible accountable. Atiku further called on the judiciary to strike out unconstitutional provisions, encouraged civil society organisations and Nigerians to resist what he described as an erosion of democratic values, and asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute those allegedly involved.

Atiku alleged that the purported amendments granted arrest powers to tax authorities, allowed property seizure and garnishment without court orders, and enabled enforcement sales without judicial oversight, alongside increased financial burdens such as a mandatory 20 per cent security deposit before appealing tax assessments and the imposition of compound interest on tax debts.

He warned that the changes would make it harder for ordinary Nigerians to challenge unfair tax assessments, raise compliance costs for businesses, and weaken legislative oversight by removing reporting and supervisory mechanisms.

Atiku cautioned that allowing such alterations to stand would undermine the principle that no law can take effect without National Assembly approval, warning that failure to uphold this safeguard risks pushing the country toward authoritarian governance.

NBA, Atiku Demand Suspension of Tax Reform Acts Over Alleged Illegal Alterations

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Plateau Attackers Spoke Fulfulde, Came on Motorbikes, Ex‑Rep Says

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Former House of Representatives member Dachung Bagos

Plateau Attackers Spoke Fulfulde, Came on Motorbikes, Ex‑Rep Says

Former House of Representatives member Dachung Bagos has revealed chilling details of the recent massacre in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, Plateau State, describing it as a planned and coordinated attack carried out by assailants who spoke Fulfulde and moved strategically on motorbikes. The incident, which claimed over 30 lives, has raised urgent questions about intelligence and security failures in the state.

Bagos, who represented Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, told Channels Television’s Politics Today that the attackers appeared well-trained and organized, targeting victims with precision before fleeing. He noted that the attack occurred despite prior warnings and arrests of individuals who had threatened violence after Ramadan, highlighting possible lapses in security intelligence.

ā€œWhat happened yesterday was a planned attack,ā€ Bagos said. ā€œThe government had apprehended people who warned Plateau would not have peace, yet the threat materialized. So what went wrong?ā€

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Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen moved in coordinated groups on motorcycles, spoke Fulfulde, and knew their targets and escape routes, suggesting prior reconnaissance. Bagos dismissed claims that the attack was a farmer-herder clash, insisting it was designed to provoke unrest.

He criticised security agencies for the lack of transparency, noting that 24 hours after the massacre, no operational statement had been released. Bagos called for state policing as a long-term solution, arguing that localized security forces could track movements and prevent attackers from operating with impunity.

The former lawmaker also stressed the need for justice and accountability, urging that suspects be prosecuted transparently within the state, with evidence presented publicly. He warned that continued impunity has emboldened armed groups, undermining trust between citizens and security forces.

Bagos described the broader pattern of violence in Plateau as largely economically driven, linked to land and resources rather than religion, and condemned all forms of violence regardless of victims’ identity. ā€œNo matter who you are—Muslim, Christian, Fulani—you don’t have the right to take any life. Justice must work for everyone,ā€ he said.

The Plateau State Government imposed a curfew in Jos North to prevent retaliatory violence and allow security agencies to restore order. Residents and community leaders have called for urgent action to improve security and bring perpetrators to justice.

Plateau Attackers Spoke Fulfulde, Came on Motorbikes, Ex‑Rep Says

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ā€˜Prove Yourself or Resign’ – Natasha Blasts Defence Chief Over Jos Killings

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Lawmaker Representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Lawmaker Representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

ā€˜Prove Yourself or Resign’ – Natasha Blasts Defence Chief Over Jos Killings

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has delivered a scathing rebuke of Nigeria’s defence leadership following the deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, which left more than 30 people dead.

Reacting to the March 27 incident, the senator described the killings as a clear failure of Nigeria’s security system, warning that repeated attacks across vulnerable communities show that citizens remain exposed despite government assurances.

In a strongly worded statement addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, Akpoti-Uduaghan said Nigerians are tired of promises and demand immediate, measurable results.

ā€œAngwan Rukuba is another brutal reminder that Nigerians remain unprotected,ā€ she said, recalling the assurances given during his screening at the National Assembly.

She challenged the defence chief to take decisive action or step aside, insisting that ā€œenough of condolences, enough of excusesā€ as citizens continue to lose their lives.

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The Jos attack has reignited national outrage, particularly in Plateau State, where communities have endured recurring violence linked to complex ethnic, religious, and land disputes.

Local reports indicate that the attackers struck with minimal resistance, leaving behind destruction, grief, and displaced families. Survivors are now struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones, while residents say security interventions often come too late.

Following the incident, security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and military units, have increased deployment in affected areas to prevent further violence. Authorities say investigations are ongoing and efforts are being made to track down the perpetrators.

The Plateau State Government has condemned the killings, describing them as senseless and assuring residents that justice will be pursued.

However, community leaders have called for more than routine responses, demanding a permanent security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and swift prosecution of those responsible for the attack.

The senator’s remarks reflect growing frustration among Nigerians over rising insecurity, with many calling for urgent security reforms and stronger coordination among agencies to protect lives and property.

As pressure mounts on the nation’s security leadership, the Angwan Rukuba tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for effective action against killings in Plateau State and across the country.

ā€˜Prove Yourself or Resign’ – Natasha Blasts Defence Chief Over Jos Killings

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Benue School Harassment: Authorities Investigate Assault on Female Student at Seat of Wisdom Aliade

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Assault on Female Student at Seat of Wisdom Aliade

Benue School Harassment: Authorities Investigate Assault on Female Student at Seat of Wisdom Aliade

Authorities in Benue State have launched an investigation following a disturbing incident at Seat of Wisdom Secondary School, Aliade, where a female student was reportedly harassed and assaulted by her peers. The event has raised serious concerns over student safety and supervision in the state’s schools.

According to preliminary reports, the victim, a female student at the school, was subjected to inappropriate treatment by a group of classmates while on school premises. The incident came to light after other students alerted the school authorities, prompting the administration to notify local law enforcement.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed that officers have begun a formal investigation. Police spokespersons said statements are being taken from witnesses, and the identities of those involved are being verified. Officials have emphasized that the safety and well-being of all students remain a top priority.

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School management has pledged full cooperation with authorities, stating that disciplinary measures will be taken against any student found responsible, while also offering counselling services for both the victim and other students affected by the incident. Parents and community leaders have condemned the act, describing it as unacceptable and a violation of students’ rights.

Child protection experts have stressed that incidents like this highlight the urgent need for robust safety policies, awareness programs, and reporting mechanisms within schools. They recommend that schools implement regular workshops on respect, personal boundaries, and peer conflict resolution to prevent future occurrences.

The case has sparked broader discussions across Benue State about the responsibilities of school administrators, teachers, and guardians in protecting students from harassment and ensuring a safe learning environment.

Authorities have assured the public that the investigation will be thorough, and anyone found culpable will face legal consequences in accordance with Nigerian law.

Benue School Harassment: Authorities Investigate Assault on Female Student at Seat of Wisdom Aliade

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