By Okeke Eunice
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 to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.
Amid widespread controversy surrounding the tax reforms, particularly with resistance from the North, Tinubu called for calm and announced that he had instructed the AGF to engage with the National Assembly to address the concerns.
In response, the Senate formed a panel to meet with the AGF for discussions. However, the meeting was delayed due to a review of the panel’s membership and discussions within Senate caucuses.
A source from the Ministry of Justice revealed on Wednesday night that the AGF will proceed with the meeting with the Senate today.
“The AGF will attend the National Assembly tomorrow, December 19, for the meeting on the tax reform bill,” the official said, speaking anonymously as they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the press.
When reached for confirmation, Senator Abba Moro, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee, told a national television that both the AGF and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, had been invited.
“The committee has extended invitations to the Chairman of FIRS and the Honorable Attorney General and Minister of Justice,” Moro said briefly.
Two weeks ago, the Senate formed a committee led by Moro to meet with the AGF and address any unresolved issues in the Tax Reform Bills.
The committee includes 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 opted out of the committee.