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Senate, AGF meet today to review controversial tax reform bills
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is set to meet with the Senate today (Thursday) to discuss the controversial Tax Reform Bills submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.
The meeting aims to address the issues and opposition surrounding the bills, particularly from Northern stakeholders.
In response to the criticism, President Tinubu called for calm and directed the AGF to collaborate with the National Assembly to resolve the contentious aspects of the bills.
Following the President’s directive, the Senate established a special panel to liaise with the AGF. However, progress was delayed due to adjustments in the panel’s membership and internal caucus meetings within the Senate.
A source familiar with the development confirmed to The PUNCH on Wednesday night that the AGF would meet with the Senate today to deliberate on the matter.
“The AGF will be at the National Assembly tomorrow, December 19, for the tax reform bill meeting,” the source said, speaking anonymously due to a lack of authorization to comment publicly.
Senator Abba Moro, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee, also confirmed the attendance of the AGF and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji.
“The committee has invited the FIRS Chairman and the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice,” Moro stated briefly.
Two weeks ago, the Senate formed the Moro-led committee to collaborate with the AGF in fine-tuning the contentious areas of the Tax Reform Bills.
The committee members include Senators Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central), Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Titus Zam (APC, Benue South), Abdullahi Yahaya (PDP, Kebbi North), Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West), Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East), and Kaka Shehu, SAN (APC, Borno Central), although Shehu has since declined membership of the committee.
