Says No Discrepancies Between Harmonized and Gazetted Copies
AWC Economy Desk, Abuja
In a move aimed at demystifying Nigeria’s evolving tax framework, Taiwo Oyedele, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tax Reforms, has clarified that the government is legally empowered to recover tax liabilities directly from the bank accounts of individuals and corporate entities—but only after due process is exhaustively followed.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television, Oyedele addressed growing public anxiety surrounding the new tax laws and widespread fears that government agencies could arbitrarily dip into citizens’ bank accounts. He dismissed such fears as misinformation, stressing that no Nigerian’s account can be debited for tax purposes without a rigorous legal process.
According to him, the authority for such recovery already exists in law and is not a novel creation of the Tinubu administration. However, he emphasized that it is a last-resort enforcement mechanism, not an automatic or discretionary power.
“Yes, government can recover outstanding taxes from accounts, but it is not something that happens overnight,” Oyedele explained. “There is a very lengthy process. It involves assessments, notifications, opportunities for objections, and ultimately, court approval.”
Due Process, Not Executive Fiat
Oyedele outlined that before any funds can be accessed, the tax authority must first:
- Establish a clear tax liability
- Serve formal notices to the taxpayer
- Allow time for reconciliation or dispute resolution
- Seek judicial authorization if the taxpayer remains non-compliant
Only after these steps, he noted, can enforcement measures—such as garnishee proceedings—be legally activated.
Protecting Taxpayers, Strengthening Compliance
The presidential adviser stressed that the reforms are designed not to punish taxpayers, but to improve compliance, transparency, and fairness within Nigeria’s tax system. He added that the administration’s broader goal is to expand the tax net, reduce evasion, and ensure that those who should pay taxes do so—without harassing law-abiding citizens.
Oyedele further reassured Nigerians that the reforms align with global best practices, where tax enforcement powers exist but are tightly regulated by law and judicial oversight.
Part of Tinubu’s Fiscal Reform Agenda
The clarification comes amid intensified conversations around President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, which prioritizes revenue mobilization, fiscal sustainability, and reduced dependence on borrowing. Tax reform, the government insists, is a critical pillar of funding infrastructure, social services, and national development.
As debates continue, Oyedele urged Nigerians to seek accurate information and engage constructively, emphasizing that the rule of law remains central to tax administration in Nigeria.
In summary, while the government does possess the legal authority to recover unpaid taxes from bank accounts, it is a controlled, court-driven process—not a free hand to seize funds.
He concluded by stating that there were no discrepancies between harmonized and gazetted copies of the document.
