Members of the Nigerian Senate are currently holding a closed-door session prompted by the arrival of the contentious Tax Reform Bills for a second reading proposed by President Tinubu.

The development may not be unconnected to yesterday’s stormy session which was characterised by sharp disagreements over the presence of external tax experts in the chamber who were at the Chambers to shed more light on the legislation which promises to overhaul Nigeria’s tax structure.

A shouting match immediately ensued when Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele invoked Order 12(1) of the Senate Standing Rules to allow Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji and the Presidential Tax consultants to address the Senate.

In a bid to avoid a repeat of yesterday’s rancour, the lawmakers went into the closed-door session at exactly 11: 43 AM after the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to that effect.

This is being presided over by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The Four Tax Reform Bills are listed on Thursday’s Order paper standing under the name of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele who is expected to lead the debate.

They are;

“A Bill for an Act to Establish the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombud, for the harmonization, coordination and settlement of disputes arising from revenue administration in Nigeria and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 583) ;

A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, No.13, 2007 and enact the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act to Establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, charged with powers of assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruable to the Government of the Federation;

A Bill for an Act to Provide for the assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruing to the Federation, Federal, States and Local Governments; prescribe the powers and functions of tax authorities, and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 585) and A Bill for an Act to Repeal certain Acts on taxation and consolidate the legal frameworks relating to taxation and enact the Nigeria Tax Act to provide for taxation of income, transactions and instruments, and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 586).”

The Sun Nigeria