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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.”
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), has said the National Assembly will pass the tax reform bills despite opposition from different quarters.
Dickson, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, said the bills would be passed like the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), stressing that heavens would not fall when the tax bills are consequently passed.
President Bola Tinubu had on October 3, 2024, transmitted to the National Assembly, four tax reform bills, in a letter, read by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, during separate plenaries of the two chambers.
Tinubu said the bills would bolster Nigeria’s fiscal institutions, adding that they were in line with his government’s broader development objectives for the country.
But Nigerians including some governors, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, federal lawmakers and others have kicked against the bills.
Recall that the Senate had last week passed the bills for second reading while the House of Representatives is yet to act on the bills.
Dickson also dispelled the claim that the planned public hearing on the bills could be chaotic if proper consultations were not done, and urged those opposed to the bills to attend the public hearing with facts if they have issues with any sections of the proposed fiscal legislations.
Dickson, former Governor of Bayelsa State said, “The PIA was passed. We wanted 10% which was what Yar’adua proposed. They (federal lawmakers) reduced it to 3%. Heaven did not fall. This tax reform bills will pass and heavens will not fall.
“The Senate has passed the bills for second reading. Public hearing will take place and people should get ready to present their positions. The tax bill is a proposed law like every other and it has to go through the normal legislative process.
“Right now, taxes from Bayelsa State are paid to Lagos State and I don’t want that to continue. When there is consumption of any goods or services from any state it should be calculated and paid to that state.
“Now there is an opportunity to review the tax laws, to correct the anomalies and that is why I’m in support. I know there are states that are feeling that when they apply the new sharing formula, they will earn less. It’s for them to raise those issues and bring the statistics. I don’t go by sentiments. I go by what is right and in the national interest.”
The Kano State House of Assembly on Monday rejected the Tax Reform bills currently under consideration at the National Assembly.
At a plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Isma’il Falgore, the lawmakers kicked against the bills after extensive deliberation.
The Majority Leader, Lawan Husseini (ANPP-Dala) introduced a motion of ‘urgent public importance,’ emphasising the need for northern lawmakers and the Conference of Speakers to prevent the passage of the bills.
Mr Husseini argued that if passed into law, the bills would not benefit the Northern States.
He condemned the Senate’s decision to approve the bills, saying, “We view it as a deliberate effort to sabotage the economy, increase hardship and further impoverishing the region.”
Mr Husseini expressed concern over the proposed VAT allocation system, noting that states like Lagos, where major corporations such as Nigerian banks, telecommunications companies, and multinational companies were headquartered, would receive the largest share of the VAT.
“Lagos and its environs would account for 80 percent of the VAT collected in Nigeria, leaving northern states with a minimal share,” he said.
He warned that if allowed to scale through, the bill would further weaken northern states, potentially rendering some unable to pay salaries and worsening poverty and hardship.
Mr Husseini expressed concern over the proposed VAT allocation system, noting that states like Lagos, where major corporations such as Nigerian banks, telecommunications companies, and multinational companies were headquartered, would receive the largest share of the VAT.
“Lagos and its environs would account for 80 percent of the VAT collected in Nigeria, leaving northern states with a minimal share,” he said.
He warned that if allowed to scale through, the bill would further weaken northern states, potentially rendering some unable to pay salaries and worsening poverty and hardship.
Supporting the motion, Salisu Mohammed (APC-Doguwa) urged the upper legislative house to focus on more pressing national issues, such as attention insecurity and unemployment, instead of rushing the tax reform bills through the legislative process.
Similarly, Murtala Kadage (ANPP-Garko) called for unity among lawmakers to prevent the bills from passing, for the benefit of the region.
The house called on northern members of the Senate and House of Representatives, along with the Conference of Speakers, to take a swift and decisive action to block the passage of the bills.
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Social media user ThatBlessedGirl stirred online conversations with her post:
"Girls will think men are easy and cheap to get. Until it’s time to get married. You’ll realise that commitment from men might even require you to go to Shiloh."
This statement highlights the challenges women face when seeking long-term commitment from men, particularly in the context of marriage. The mention of Shiloh, a well-known annual Christian prayer retreat, implies the level of spiritual dedication some may feel is necessary to secure a serious commitment.
Netizens flooded the comment section with divided opinions. Some agreed, sharing personal experiences of how men often hesitate to commit, while others felt it unfairly placed blame on women.
"Girls will think men are easy and cheap to get. Until it’s time to get married. You’ll realise that commitment from men might even require you to go to Shiloh."
This statement highlights the challenges women face when seeking long-term commitment from men, particularly in the context of marriage. The mention of Shiloh, a well-known annual Christian prayer retreat, implies the level of spiritual dedication some may feel is necessary to secure a serious commitment.
Netizens flooded the comment section with divided opinions. Some agreed, sharing personal experiences of how men often hesitate to commit, while others felt it unfairly placed blame on women.
PHOTOS: EFCC secures ‘single largest asset forfeiture’ of Abuja housing estate by court order from ex-govt official
AFOLABI
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully obtained the final forfeiture of a property situated 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”.
“The road to the final forfeiture of the property was paved by an interim forfeiture order, secured before the same Judge on November 1, 2024,” he said.
“The government official which fraudulently built the estate is being investigated by the EFCC. The forfeiture of the asset is an important modality of depriving the suspect of the proceeds of the crime.
“In this instance, the Commission relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud And Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14, 2006 and Section 44 (2) B of the Constitution of the 199 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to push its case.
“The Establishment Act of the Commission places huge emphasis on asset recovery.”
The spokesperson for the EFCC stated that the judge determined the respondent failed to provide sufficient justification for retaining the property in question.
Oyewale referenced Ola Olukoyede, the chair of the EFCC, who emphasized that asset recovery is essential in combating corruption economic and financial crimes, and serves as a significant deterrent to corrupt and fraudulent activities.
See images of the recovered asset below:
See images of the recovered asset below:
Finnish authorities have given reasons why the controversial pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, cannot be granted bail in Finland.
A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, told Punch newspaper on Saturday that the Finnish legal system does not permit bail for suspects accused of the kind of offences Mr Ekpa is accused of.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Ekpa was arrested alongside four others on 21 November on suspicion of terrorist activities.
The Finnish police said Mr Ekpa “has contributed to violence and crimes against civilians in South-eastern Nigeria.”
The District Court of Päijät-Häme later ordered that the pro-Biafra agitator be imprisoned “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”
He is expected to face charges in May 2025, according to Finnish authorities.
Mr Ekpa was indicted for financing terrorism alongside the four other suspects. The police have a suspicion that the Biafra agitator committed the crime of collecting money in violation of the Finnish Money Collection Act. The Finnish police said he allegedly committed the crimes between 23 August 2021 and 18 November 2024 in Lahti, a town in Finland.
IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria. The separatist group has been linked to some deadly attacks in the two regions, although it has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.
Meanwhile, hours after the arrest, the IPOB faction loyal to Mr Kanu disowned Mr Ekpa last Friday, explaining that the pro-Biafra agitator was never their member.
When asked if Mr Ekpa’s charges were bailable or if the prosecution was disposed to releasing him on bail, Mr Laaksonen responded, “Finnish criminal procedure/coercive measures do not recognise bail procedure. Our procedure is based on, depending on the case, remand or travel ban as coercive measures for limiting freedom of movement for persons suspected of offences to which such measures are applicable.”
The situation implies that Mr Ekpa will remain imprisoned until May 2025, when he is scheduled to face trial at the District Court of Päijät-Häme in the North European country.
Belgium made history on Sunday by becoming the first country in the world to allow sex workers to sign formal employment contracts, granting them access to benefits such as sick leave, maternity pay, and pensions.
The new law also ensures fundamental rights for sex workers, including the ability to refuse clients, set conditions for their work, and halt an act at any time.
Although the legislation was passed in May, it officially came into effect on Sunday.
“I am a very proud Belgium sex worker right now,” said Mel Meliciousss, a member of the Belgian union of sex workers, UTSOPI, in an Instagram post.
“People who are already working in the industry will be much more protect[ed], and also people who are going to work in the industry also know what their rights are.”
Belgium had already refrained from criminalizing the act of offering or paying for sexual services, focusing instead on penalizing brothels and third parties involved in supporting sex work—such as landlords, bankers, and drivers—under accusations of “pimping.”
However, in 2022, lawmakers voted to decriminalize sex work and refine the definition of pimping, allowing sex workers greater access to essential services without legal obstacles.
The new law extends these efforts by providing sex workers with labour rights equivalent to those in other professions.
These include access to pensions, health insurance, unemployment benefits, family allowances, annual vacations, and maternity leave.
Employers must now obtain authorization, have no prior convictions for sexual assault, human trafficking, or fraud, and maintain clean and safe premises equipped with panic buttons. They are also prohibited from dismissing workers who refuse a client or specific act.
These changes reflect years of advocacy by Belgium’s sex worker union, UTSOPI, which highlighted the precarious conditions faced by workers before these protections.
Many were forced to continue working well into pregnancy or past retirement age due to a lack of benefits.
“This law is a huge step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers by allowing a full-fledged contract,” the union stated in May.
The protections apply only to sex workers with formal employment contracts and do not extend to self-employed workers or those involved in pornography or striptease.
Belgium’s reforms stand out even among other countries where sex work has been decriminalized, such as New Zealand, the Netherlands, and parts of Australia, as they provide a new level of comprehensive labor protections.
In the United States, Nevada remains the only state where brothels are legal, while prostitution outside of these establishments remains prohibited.