Senate President Godswill Akpabio has refuted claims that Nigeria’s newly implemented tax laws were altered, stressing that the versions signed into law remain intact and unadulterated.
Akpabio made the clarification during plenary on Wednesday, following reports that multiple versions of the tax laws were in circulation.
He said, “I understand that there is another version that was circulating around, which was not in compliance with what was contained in our votes and proceedings.
“There is no adulteration. So I mean, at this stage now, you can feel bold enough to discard anything that is to the contrary.
“There are about four acts. So the four acts are ready and gazetted, and signed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly to avoid confusion.”
The former governor of Akwa Ibom State subsequently directed the Clerk of the Senate to distribute the certified copies of the Acts to all senators, stressing that the documents must not be released to unauthorized persons.
PAYE tax reduction raises FG workers’ take-home pay
No tax on bank balances, only transfers attract N50, CITN clarifies
“So every senator is expected to go home with one today. And then for those who are not here, we will distribute them directly to the senators.
“This act should not be given to any other person. It must be given by the Clerk to the Senate and certified by the Clerk of the National Assembly to avoid any confusion.
“So, you take it directly from us. This has taken cognizance of what happened in the House of Representatives, in the votes and proceedings. And also what happened in the Senate and what happened in the Committee on Harmonization, and signed by the president,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senate deferred consideration of its Committee on Electoral Matters’ report to give legislators more time to analyze it.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, revealed that Senator Simon Lalong, the committee chairman, was not immediately available, despite the fact that copies of the report had been distributed.
“But copies have been circulated. We will allow senators to go home with the report and study it, and when we come tomorrow, we will hold a brief closed-door session and debate the critical clauses of the bill and pass it,” Bamidele stated.
Responding, Akpabio stated that there was no need to rush the report, promising that the Senate “will take our time, do the needful, and ensure justice is done for all and sundry.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
