Oshiomhole Urges FG to Jail Tax Evaders as Deterrent

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) has called on the Federal Government to vigorously prosecute and jail tax evaders, insisting that only stiff penalties will serve as a real deterrent and help expand Nigeria’s revenue base.

Speaking during plenary on Thursday, January 23, 2026, while contributing to the debate on the Tax Reform Bills, Oshiomhole lamented that many high-net-worth individuals and companies deliberately evade taxes while ordinary citizens bear the burden through indirect levies and inflation.

“Tax evasion is theft from the Nigerian people. It is stealing from public infrastructure, education, health, and security. If we truly want to fund development, we must stop treating tax evasion as a civil matter. Evaders must go to jail no plea bargains, no slaps on the wrist,” Oshiomhole declared.

He argued that the current culture of leniency where offenders pay back-taxes with minimal penalties has emboldened widespread non-compliance and undermined the integrity of the tax system.

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The former Edo State Governor and ex-NLC President stressed that jail terms would send a powerful message: “When people see rich men and women in prison for tax evasion, others will think twice before hiding their income or cooking books.”

Oshiomhole also advocated for stronger whistleblower protection, better use of technology for tracking, and public naming-and-shaming of convicted evaders to build public trust in the tax system.

His comments come amid ongoing controversy over the new tax laws, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and have faced criticism from labour unions and civil society groups for being regressive.

By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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