The House of Representatives has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate alleged illegal tax deductions and other charges from the earnings of civil and public servants, as well as multiple bank charges on customers’ accounts across the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking during the committee’s inauguration in Abuja, Chairman Hon. Kelechi Nwogu said the probe followed growing complaints from Nigerians, especially civil servants, about arbitrary and unexplained deductions by government agencies and financial institutions.
Nwogu described the investigation as a vital step toward promoting transparency, fairness, and accountability in the nation’s financial system.
“It is with great honour and a profound sense of duty that I stand before you as the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the deduction of taxes and sundry charges from the earnings of civil and public servants, as well as multiple bank charges on customers’ accounts in Nigeria,”
— Hon. Kelechi Nwogu
He explained that the committee’s mandate covers examining the nature and application of taxes, levies, and deductions affecting workers, as well as investigating possible cases of non-remittance of deducted funds.
The committee will also review a broad range of bank charges, including Value Added Tax (VAT) applied to existing fees, to ensure transparency and fairness in financial practices.
“We aim to identify irregularities, recommend essential reforms, and advocate for the rights of all Nigerians. As we progress, we are prepared to make far-reaching and decisive recommendations, not minding whose ox is gored,”
— Nwogu added
He called for cooperation from all stakeholders — including government agencies, banks, regulators, and civil society groups — assuring that the committee’s findings would drive meaningful reforms that promote financial justice.
Nwogu also commended Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and members of the 10th Assembly for their foresight in setting up the committee, describing the assignment as one of national importance.
Represented by the Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, the Speaker reaffirmed the House’s commitment to protecting citizens from financial exploitation, saying the committee’s creation reflected the legislature’s responsiveness to public concerns.
“The issue of multiple bank charges erodes public trust and places undue strain on citizens’ finances. The demands for transparency and fairness in banking cannot be ignored; they require our immediate attention,”
— Speaker Tajudeen Abbas
He urged the committee to carry out its task with integrity, objectivity, and a deep sense of responsibility, promising that the House would act on its findings to ensure fairness in Nigeria’s financial system.
