African Action Congress, AAC, 2023 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has slammed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for hiding the identity of the top government official who owns the forfeited 753 units of duplexes in Abuja.

Naija News reported that the EFCC successfully obtained the final forfeiture of a property in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following a ruling on Monday by Judge Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court.

In a statement made available to newsmen, the spokesperson for the anti-corruption agency, Dele Oyewale, noted that the property spans 150,500 square meters and comprises 753 units of duplexes and various other apartments, marking it as the largest single asset recovered by the EFCC since its establishment in 2003.

The individual who forfeited the property was not mentioned, but Oyewale said it belonged to a “former top brass of the government”.

Reacting, Sowore, in a post on his official Facebook page, tackled the anti-graft agency for withdrawing the identity of the property owner.

According to him, the EFCC is currently afraid of ‘big’ thieves, noting that it is always easier for them to parade suspects who are Yahoo boys, unlike top government officials.

He wrote, “What is the name of the “former top brass” with 753 duplexes seized by the EFCC in Abuja?

“The @officialEFCC is now doing PR for thieves. They seized this large estate with 753 duplexes from a single individual in Abuja but can’t mention his or her name.

“If it is Yahoo boys, they will line laptops and Nokia phones in front of them and send their photos globally even before their trial is commenced. The same EFCC is now AFRAID of BIG Thieves!”

The former lawmaker representing Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Joseph Haruna Kigbu, on Monday, was abducted by suspected bandits while traveling to Jos.

Naija News learnt that the incident happened around 6:00 p.m., between Nunku in Akwanga Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, and Gwantu in Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

The kidnappers during the attack shot the police escort assigned to Kigbu, who attempted to resist the abduction.

According to Vanguard, eyewitnesses revealed that the bandits fired sporadically, causing panic among motorists in the area.

Local villagers confirmed the incident, adding that the location has been a hotspot for criminal activities over the years.

The abduction of Dr. Kigbu and the death of the police escort underscore the persistent security challenges plaguing the region, with many residents calling for increased security presence in the area.

In other news, residents of Akankan Area of Ede, Osun State, have been thrown into mourning due to a devastating fire that engulfed the residence of a Customs officer, Tijani Kabiru, attached to the Oyo/Osun Command, killing him, his wife, and four of their children.

Naija News learned that the fire outbreak that occurred in the early hours of Monday also sparked panic and disbelief in the community.

The Chairman of the presidential committee on tax policy and fiscal reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has dismissed any plans to engage Alpha-Beta Consulting or other consultants for tax collection.

Speaking during a town hall meeting hosted by Channels Television on Monday, Oyedele addressed concerns about using external consultants like Alpha-Beta, a firm known for handling tax collection for Lagos state and linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He described reliance on consultants for tax collection as a major economic challenge, emphasizing that governments should not depend on external firms for such critical functions.

“In fact, we debated at the committee level about including a provision in the law that prohibits governments from using consultants to collect taxes. We see this as one of the biggest economic problems,” Oyedele stated.

“I can confirm 100 percent that there is no plan whatsoever to use consultants for this purpose.”

According to Oyedele, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) already possesses the infrastructure needed for efficient tax collection, particularly through its TaxPro Max platform.

Minor adjustments to the system, he noted, are sufficient to implement the proposed reforms.

“For instance, once these bills are passed, we can simply update the system to require companies like MTN to indicate the states where VAT returns are generated,” Oyedele explained.

He added that similar measures would apply to other large corporations, such as the Dangote Group and financial institutions, ensuring compliance without external assistance.

‘Governors Were Consulted on Tax Reform Bills’

Addressing concerns about consultation, Oyedele emphasized that state governors were actively engaged during the drafting process of the tax reform bills.

“This is not a rushed process. We consulted extensively. We had a session with the governors’ forum and two sessions with the national economy council. We also spent almost a full day with finance commissioners from across Nigeria,” he said.

Oyedele further revealed that the committee held multiple meetings with heads of internal revenue services from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Letters were sent to governors in each geopolitical zone, offering detailed discussions with their cabinets.

“Some governors didn’t have time for us, but for those who did, like the governor of Lagos, we had thorough engagements. In Lagos, a joint committee between my team and the state cabinet worked on the details for over six months,” he added.

He maintained that the committee remains open to further consultations, dismissing claims that stakeholders were not adequately involved.

The Presidency has advised critics to withdraw from threatening President Bola Tinubu with the 2027 election.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Abiodun Essiet, said Tinubu means well for Nigerian, stating that his policies are aimed at fixing the country’s economy.

Tinubu’s aide, while advising that “politics is not job”, noted that if the President did not mean well for the country, he would not have pushed the reforms he has been making for the growth of the country in his first term.

“Stop going to the media to threaten the president about 2027. You can continue to have breakfast meetings until 2027 because of the lack of joblessness. Politics is not a job.

“The president means well for the people of this country; no president will push for the type of reforms the president is pushing for in their first tenure (LGA autonomy, financial reforms, tax reforms).

“Most president will make such to their second tenure… So, it is not about 2027. It is about taking Nigeria to the promised land. Let’s stop politicizing every reform. Leave politics till 2026.

“We are solving the problem of multi-taxation through our tax reforms. Get some work and leave politics for now,” she wrote.

The Community Engagement Aide further charged Nigerians to read the Tax Reform Bill to have a better understanding of its contents.

“Read about the tax reform bills yourself, and don’t depend on social media influencers or other media platforms to educate you about the bills. Influencers are paid to create public sentiment around the reforms and are often politically motivated. Stop being gullible. Let’s keep engaging in intellectual discourse,” Essiet added

The member representing Ajingi/Albasu/Gaya Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mustapha Ghali has revealed that he plans on opposing the tax reform bills when they come up for debate.

The lawmaker stated that he has read copies of the four bills and understood them to be anti-people and narcissist in all intents.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Ghali, argued that he has a corporate finance background, hence could deduce that the bill is not pro-masses.

He added that many members are weighing the ‘prons and cons’ and expressed the belief that the bills would not see the light of the day.

According to him, “it is normal for a bill to pass first reading and legislators could only debate when it comes for second reading.”

The lawmaker said, “Well, this is a subject of national discourse currently going on and is yet to be debated at the National Assembly or the House of Reps.

“But we are aware it has gone through first reading and this is the second reading and we understand it is an Executive Bill.

“Most of the members, including me, so many people have an opinion about it, but I was able to have the four bills and digest it to my own understanding and to the level of knowledge.

“However, I have a background in finance, as a student of International Corporate Finance, so I have an idea of what all this is all about. The bills actually are not in tandem with public interest and it’s not pro-masses.

“This is a capitalist bill and for such a reason, I, Dr. Ghali Mustafa Tijani, I am rejecting this bill as a member that represents people in the parliament to ensure that my people are well represented and Nigerians have got all the benefits and dividends of democracy.

“Therefore, these tax reform bills are capitalistic in nature and are siphoning the poor, so to say.”

An officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Dayyabu Muhammad, appealed to the Jigawa State Governor and his wife to come to his aid as his 25-year-old wife, Firdausi Muhammad, gave birth to triplets.

Muhammad was blessed with the babies a year after his wife delivered a set of twins.

Reports, according to the Daily Post, revealed that Firdausi underwent a Cesarean section at Dutse General Hospital on Saturday around 12:30 PM to deliver the triplets, consisting of one boy and two girls, who are reported to be in good health and are currently under the care of the hospital’s medical staff.

Previously, Firdausi had given birth to twins, a boy and a girl, several months ago.

However, this joyful occasion also presents challenges for the family of Muhammad, a junior police officer with the Jigawa State Police command.

Muhammad’s wife has appealed to the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, along with his wife and other compassionate individuals, for assistance in caring for their children.

“I am appealing to the Jigawa State Governor, his wife and other individuals to help us properly take care of them,” Firdausi pleaded.

Her husband, Muhammad, has expressed his excitement and gratitude to God for the blessings but also urged prayers and support for the family.

The Nigeria Sex Workers Association has appealed to authorities of law enforcement agencies to protect its members nationwide from harassment and abuse.

NSWA made the appeal in a statement by its National Coordinator, Amaka Enemo, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.

Enemo said that recent reports indicate a disturbing rise in physical assaults, harassment and extortion of sex workers by both clients and law enforcement officials.

She urged law enforcement agencies to recognise the humanity of sex workers and protect them from violence and abuse.

Enemo said that sex workers were not criminals, but individuals with rights, who deserved the protection of security agencies.

According to her, their absolute safety and well-being contribute to the overall health of communities and help to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

“Despite the critical role that sex workers play in the economy and society, they continue to be subjected to systematic violence, discrimination and stigmatisation.

“This violence not only endangers the lives of sex workers but also undermines their rights and dignity as human beings.

“We deserve to work in safety and to live free from fear. It is time for our voices to be heard, and for our rights to be respected,” she said.

The association’s coordinator further urged law enforcement agencies to take prompt measures that would ensure their personnel carried out their duties professionally.

She listed such measures to include comprehensive training for officials, creating safe reporting mechanisms, and holding personnel accountable for acts of violence or discrimination against sex workers.

Others are launching public awareness campaigns to combat stigma and discrimination against sex workers, ensuring that perpetrators are prosecuted and that victims receive justice.

Enemo said that the association had resolved to advocate for the rights and safety of sex workers across the nation.

She urged stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs and the public to work with the association to fight the injustice and indignity meted out to its members.

NAN

The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has rejected claims that the 36 state governors are against the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, it is wrong to say the state governors are against the bills.

Speaking on Monday during a special town hall event by Channels Television on the Tax Reform Bills, Governor Sule disclosed that the demand of the state governors is that the bill be withdrawn to allow for further consultations and clarification of grey areas.

According to him, the bill is not a problem, but they need answers to some questions regarding the provisions of the bill and their request is that the bill be withdrawn in order to first answer the questions.

“The issue of increasing the VAT from 20 per cent to 60 per cent at the point of generation, and I am happy that Taiwo said it has now changed not just at the point of generation but also consumption, that is fine.

“Those were some of the issues mentioned by the governors. The governors said, you know what, why don’t you withdraw the bills, let us discuss it, let us understand it,” Governor Sule said.

According to him, the Townhall meeting, which happened on Monday, as well as some other steps, should have been taken earlier by the Tax Reform Committee before the bill was forwarded to the National Assembly.

Responding, the Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, appreciated Governor Sule for the feedback.

He also revealed that the committee had tried to enlighten Nigerians and other stakeholders before the bill was sent to the National Assembly, but the response was not encouraging.

Oyedele, however submitted that the committee is ready to repeat some of the processes in order to clarify grey areas to members of the public and stakeholders.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has backed the administration of President Bola Tinubu, over the tax reform bill, stating that it is a critical issue.

Naija News reports that the four tax reform bills proposed by Tinubu are stoking anger in Northern Nigeria, with groups in the region demanding the suspension of passage of the legislation.

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, also insisted that if the tax bills are passed into law, only Lagos and Rivers state will benefit.

However, a statement from the presidency explained that Tinubu proposed the reforms due to a need to streamline tax administration in Nigeria and make the operating environment conducive for businesses.

In a statement via X on Monday, Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, stated that there is nothing wrong with pursuing the tax reform bills.

However, Peter Obi asserted that a public hearing on tax reform is essential for Nigerians from all walks of life to engage meaningfully.

According to Obi, the federal government must sensitize the masses and secure their buy-in for policy changes.

The statement reads, “Tax reform is a critical issue, and there is nothing wrong with pursuing it. However, such reform must be subject to robust and informed public debate. A public hearing on tax reform is essential, allowing Nigerians from all walks of life to engage meaningfully. This is how we build public trust and ensure inclusivity in policymaking.

“Matters of this magnitude require extensive deliberation and careful consideration—they should never be rushed. Public hearings must be conducted to allow for diverse opinions and inputs. Such public hearing would also enable the broadest spectrum of public opinion to be reflected in public policy.

“When considering tax reforms and similar issues, it is insufficient to focus solely on the benefits to the government, particularly in terms of increasing revenue collection. We must also take into account the overall impact on the nation and the sustainability of all its regions.

“Furthermore, the government must sensitize the people and secure their buy-in for any policy changes. Trust and legitimacy are the foundation of effective governance, and without them, even the best-intended reforms may fail.

“Let us prioritize transparency, deliberation, and public engagement in charting the path forward. This is how we build a truly participatory democracy.”

Nigeria secures $2.2bn Eurobonds to finance 2024 budget deficitThe Debt Management Office (DMO) says Nigeria has successfully priced $2.2bn in Eurobonds that will mature in 2031 (6.5 years) and 2034 (10 years) in the international capital markets.

In a statement on Monday, the DMO said the bond has $700m and $1.5bn placed in the 2031 and 2034 maturities, respectively.It said the proceeds from bond issuance would be used to finance the 2024 fiscal deficit and support the government’s budgetary needs.It said the notes were priced at a Coupon and Re-offer Yield of 9.625 per cent and 10.375 percent, respectively.

“Nigeria is pleased to have attracted a wide range of investors from multiple jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, North America, Europe, Asia, Middle East and participation from Nigerian investors, which it views as an expression of continued investor confidence in the country’s sound macro-economic policy framework and prudent fiscal and monetary management,” it said.

The statement further said the transaction attracted a peak order book of more than $9bn. This underscores the strong support for the transaction across geography and investor class.

“With respect to investor class, demand came from a combination of Fund Managers, Insurance and Pension Funds, Hedge Funds, Banks and other Financial Institutions,” it added.Commenting on the successful pricing, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, said: “Today’s successful issuance signposts increasing confidence in ongoing efforts of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, administration to stabilize the Nigerian economy and position it on the path of sustainable and inclusive growth for the benefit of all Nigerians. The broad range of investor appetite to invest in our Eurobonds is encouraging as we continue to diversify our funding sources and deepen our engagement with the international capital markets.”

According to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, its outcome underscores the growing confidence of investors and the resilience of the Nigeria credit, and evidence of our improved liquidity position and continued access to international markets to support the financing needs of the government.UK Listing Authority and available to trade on the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market, the FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited and the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

“The proceeds from this Eurobond issuance will be used to finance the 2024 fiscal deficit and support the government’s budgetary needs. Nigeria mandated Chapel Hill Denham, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and Standard Chartered Bank as Joint Bookrunners. FSDH Merchant Bank Limited acted as Financial Adviser on the issuance,” she added