Ogene faulted Agbese’s assertion that the discrepancies had been “comprehensively addressed,” insisting that the Minority Caucus committee’s findings pointed to a far more troubling development.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily — Chairman of the House of Representatives Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee on the alleged alteration of Tax Reform Laws, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has warned that dismissing the committee’s interim report could embolden impunity and undermine the integrity of the National Assembly.
Ogene issued the warning on Saturday in response to comments credited to the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese, who reportedly described the Minority Caucus committee’s findings as having been overtaken by events following the release of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the tax laws.
The controversy stems from allegations that versions of the tax reform laws signed and gazetted differed from those passed by the National Assembly, a claim first raised on the floor of the House by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki and later corroborated by the Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee in its interim report.
In a statement dated January 25, 2026, Ogene said he was “perplexed” by Agbese’s remarks, noting that such comments carried institutional weight given the office he occupies.
“I would have dismissed the comments as the mere personal viewpoint of a colleague,” Ogene said, “but having previously served as Deputy Spokesperson of the 7th House of Representatives, I am cognisant of the responsibilities and public expectations attendant to such a position, particularly in communicating on behalf of and upholding the integrity of the legislative institution and democratic processes.”
He questioned why Agbese appeared to be speaking “as spokesperson for the Executive” on an issue that directly concerns the legislature’s constitutional authority.
Ogene stressed that the Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee’s interim report did not indict the National Assembly or question the integrity of its legislative processes. Rather, he said the report focused on identifying attempts by external actors to undermine parliament.
“For context and clarity, the Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee’s interim report did not criticise the National Assembly’s work, impugn the integrity of its legislative processes, or implicate the institution in any culpability,” he said.
“The report highlighted the concerning attempt by perpetrators of the illegal alterations to undermine the Legislature’s functional integrity and independence.”
He argued that the issue should concern all lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation, especially those who prioritise lawmaking in the public interest over political expediency.
The lawmaker also drew attention to the existence of another investigative panel set up by the House leadership and chaired by Rt. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara to review the tax laws as passed by the House and compare them with the gazetted versions.
While the Minority Caucus initiated an independent fact-finding exercise in line with parliamentary best practices, Ogene noted that the continued sitting of the Betara-led committee contradicted claims that the controversy had been resolved.
“If, as Hon. Agbese claims, that the alleged alterations in the Tax Reforms Acts have been overtaken by events following the release of the Certified True Copies, why is the Betara Committee still sitting and has not been dissolved by the House?” he asked.
Ogene faulted Agbese’s assertion that the discrepancies had been “comprehensively addressed,” insisting that the Minority Caucus committee’s findings pointed to a far more troubling development.
“The only clarity is that the irrefutable findings of the Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee’s interim report reveal that external actors within government bureaucracy have flagrantly undermined the National Assembly’s constitutional authority to legislate,” he said.
According to him, the alterations compromised the integrity of key legislative documents and embarrassed both the institution and the country.
“Speaking in the manner that Agbese has spoken will only continue to enable such unacceptable behaviour that ought to attract the collective upbraid of all lawmakers irrespective of partisan divide,” Ogene added.
He warned that treating the issue as settled could signal institutional acquiescence to what he described as a serious procedural anomaly.
“Does Hon. Agbese’s assertion that the affront to the National Assembly’s independence has been comprehensively addressed suggest that the institution will not pursue accountability for this significant procedural anomaly?” he asked, noting that democratic institutions are strengthened by accountability, not silence.
Ogene expressed confidence that the House leadership would take steps to protect the legislature’s independence, saying he trusted Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to act in the national interest.
“I trust that the National Assembly’s leadership, with a nationalist Speaker Abbas Tajudeen on the driving seat, will continue to uphold the Legislature’s independence and protect the public interest,” he said.