SERAP Petitions Code of Conduct Bureau Over Electoral Act and Tax Law Alterations

The Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project has petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau to investigate members of the Senate and other public officers over alleged irregularities in the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and the Tax Reform Laws.

In a statement issued on Sunday by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called for a prompt, thorough, and effective investigation into claims that provisions on electronic transmission of election results were removed from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill during plenary. According to SERAP, the removal allegedly occurred after a majority of senators had voted in favour of retaining the provisions and without any debate or formal approval.

SERAP also raised concerns over reported alterations to the Tax Reform Bills. The group said discrepancies emerged between the harmonised versions passed by the National Assembly and the copies later signed into law and gazetted by the Federal Government. Lawmakers, including a Sokoto State representative, had reportedly drawn attention to differences they claimed did not receive legislative approval, raising questions about the legality and legitimacy of the lawmaking process.

While the Senate has denied removing the electronic transmission provision, insisting that only the phrase real time was deleted due to judicial concerns, SERAP maintained that the circumstances surrounding the amendments require independent scrutiny. Similarly, although the National Assembly has begun probing the tax bill discrepancies and released certified versions of the laws, SERAP said accountability mechanisms must still be activated.

The organisation stated that its petition was filed under relevant sections of the Constitution and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. It alleged that the processes leading to the passage of both laws may have involved abuse of office, conflict of interest, lack of due process, and possible pursuit of private or political interests over public good.

SERAP urged the Bureau to formally register the petition, investigate whether inducements were offered or received, and refer any proven violations to the Code of Conduct Tribunal. The group warned that it may pursue legal action if the Bureau fails to act within seven days.