The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is expected to meet with the Senate today (Thursday) to discuss the contentious Tax Reform Bills sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.
The meeting, which aims to address concerns and controversies surrounding the bills, comes in the wake of significant opposition, particularly from Northern stakeholders.
In response to the backlash, President Tinubu had urged calm and directed the AGF to collaborate with the National Assembly to resolve the grey areas in the bills.
In accordance with the President’s directive, the Senate established a panel to liaise with the AGF. However, the process has been delayed due to a review of the panel’s membership and internal meetings among Senate caucuses.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to PUNCH on Wednesday night that the AGF would finally meet with the Senate today to deliberate on the bills.
“The AGF will be at the National Assembly tomorrow, December 19, for the tax reform bill meeting,” the official stated on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the press on the matter.
The Chairman of the Senate Special Committee, Senator Abba Moro, told Punch that the AGF and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, had been invited.
“The committee has invited the Chairman, FIRS and the Honorable Attorney General and Minister of Justice,” Moro simply stated.
Two weeks ago, the Senate constituted the Moro-led committee to meet with the AGF to fine-tune grey areas in the Tax Reform Bills.
Members of the committee 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.