The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is expected to meet with the Senate today (Thursday) to review the Tax Reform Bills sent by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly.
In light of the widespread controversy surrounding the tax reform bills, particularly with resistance from the North, President Tinubu had called for calm and instructed the Attorney General to engage with the National Assembly to resolve the contentious issues.
In response, the Senate established a panel to meet with the Attorney General for discussions on the matter. However, the proposed meeting had been delayed due to a review of the Senate panel’s membership and discussions within Senate caucuses.
Nevertheless, a source within the Ministry of Justice informed our correspondent on Wednesday evening that the Attorney General will be meeting with the Senate today.
“The AGF will be at the National Assembly tomorrow, December 19, for the tax reform bill meeting,” the official stated, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to comment publicly.
When contacted for confirmation, the Chairman of the Senate Special Committee, Senator Abba Moro, told The PUNCH that both the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, had been invited.
“The committee has invited the Chairman, FIRS, and the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice,” Moro simply stated.
Two weeks ago, the Senate set up the committee led by Senator Moro to meet with the Attorney General and address outstanding issues in 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), who has since declined membership of the committee.
