Tax Law Dispute: Ndume Blasts Reps Deputy Spokesman, Demands Probe into Alleged Alterations

 

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has urged the leadership of the House of Representatives to rein in its Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese, over remarks dismissing claims of alleged discrepancies in recently passed tax laws.

Ndume, speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, faulted Agbese’s criticism of his position that differences exist between the Tax Acts approved by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted for public circulation.

The controversy began after Ndume, in a recent television appearance, raised concerns that certain provisions in the harmonised tax bills passed by lawmakers were inconsistent with the gazetted copies. Reacting, Agbese described the senator’s claim as “mischievous” and insisted there was no falsification of the laws.

Responding, Ndume described the deputy spokesman’s comments as unfortunate and accused him of overstepping his bounds and seeking political favour.

“I call on the leadership of the House to call him to order. Someone who claims to speak for the House must act responsibly,” Ndume said. “The matter is already before a committee set up by the House leadership, headed by Hon. Muktar Betara, and no final report has been submitted.”

He stressed that only the Betara-led panel has the authority to determine whether there were alterations between what was passed by parliament and what was eventually gazetted.

The senator downplayed Agbese’s remarks, attributing them to inexperience and describing him as too junior to engage him publicly on such a sensitive legislative issue.

“The issue of tax law alteration is not something to trivialise. Parliamentary processes are technical. Experience matters in handling such disputes,” he said.

Ndume maintained that his intervention was not aimed at attacking any individual but ensuring legislative integrity and transparency.

“My position is that due process must be followed. I carefully cross-checked the votes and proceedings clause by clause before raising concerns. Where one version says ‘shall’ and another says ‘will,’ the legal implications can differ,” he noted.

He added that a side-by-side comparison of the passed and gazetted versions should be conducted and made public to clear doubts and reassure Nigerians.

Ndume further alleged that Agbese’s outburst was driven by personal motives and an attempt to impress House leadership, warning that such conduct could embarrass the institution.

He reiterated his call for a thorough legislative review of the tax laws, insisting that clarity and accuracy are essential to uphold public trust in the National Assembly’s work.