FEATURES
A major defection wave has rocked the Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives, as four members have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The four LP candidates that defected on the floor of the House on Thursday are from four states: Kaduna, Imo, Edo and Cross River.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced the defection on the floor of the House.
The lawmakers are Chinedu Okere (Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West Constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Constituency) and Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo).
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has likened governance to a covenant where politician must live up to the campaign promises made to the electorates.
This was as Wike said President Bola Tinubu is fulfilling his promises through him.
Wike disclosed this while inaugurating the construction of the Kabusa Ketti Access road in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said: “I tell people something: there is nothing difficult about government. Note that Mr President has come through me to fulfill the promise he has made.
“This time around we will send people who will listen. Politics no be grammar… Make una no dey follow people wey dey speak grammar. You don see who grammar help?
“We will send people who will come back to you and say this is what you sent me to do and this is what I have brought.”
A petition by Afe Babalola against Dele Farotimi that led to his arrest and remand in custody has surfaced online.
In the petition, Babalola alleged that he was defamed in Farotimi's book.
He wrote:
Dear Sir,
CRIMINAL DEFAMATION OF AARE AFE BABALOLA, AFE BABALOLA & CO AND HER LAWYERS BY DELE FAROTIMI
I write to report the criminal defamation of myself, my law firm Afe Babalola & Co and my lawyers in person of Olu Daramola SAN and Ola Faro by one Dele Farotimi in his book titled ‘NIGERIA AND ITS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM’ published by Dele Farotimi publishers in respect of Suit no: SC/146/2005: Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu & Ors V.H.R.H Oba Tijani Akinloye & Ors.
SUIT NO: SC/146/2005: MAJOR MURITALA GBADAMOSI ELETU & ORS V. H.R.H OBA TIJANI AKINLOYE & ORS (2013) 15 NWLR PART 1378.
We were solicitors to the Gbadamosi Eletu family in the case of Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu & Ors V. H.R.H Oba Tijani Akinloye & Ors.
The Appellants lost the case at the High Court and the Court of Appeal before briefing my law firm to represent them at the Supreme Court.
The Appellant in this suit were Defendants at the High Court. The subject matter of the suit was 254 hectares of land at Osapa Eti-Osa Local Government Lagos sold to the late Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu in 1977 by the Ojomu family. The said parcel of land was later acquired by Lagos State Government after it was sold to the Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu by the Ojomu family.
The Ojomu family contested the acquisition against Lagos State Government in Suit No: ID/1883/89 wherein the court set aside the acquisition by the Lagos State Government. The Ojomu family then instituted the suit at the High Court of Lagos State claiming that title to the land had reverted to the Ojomu family despite the earlier sale of the land to late Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu.
We represented the Eletu family and Judgement was delivered by the Supreme Court on 13/7/2013 in favour of the Eletu family wherein the Supreme Court held that: “Where a party has fully divested himself of all interest in land, no right vests in him to deal with the same property by way of further alienation anymore. He is caught by the maxim, nemo dat quod non habet; that is, he cannot give that which he no longer has. In the instant case, it was unfortunate that the respondents claimed title to the whole of their family land compulsorily acquired by the Lagos State Government including the portion earlier sold to the father of the appellants and in which they were in effective possession. The claim so made without disclosing the truth and excluding the said portion so sold was clearly made in bad faith and smacked of insincerity. It was very unconscionable and consequently against the principles of equity and good conscience.”
The Supreme Court also held that: “A court of law should not allow itself to be used as an engine for the perpetration of fraud, in whatever guise.”
A copy of the judgment is hereby attached as annexure 1.
VARIATION OF JUDGEMENT
Honourable Justice Kumai Bayang AKA AHS JSC wrote the lead judgement. His Lordship erroneously limited the land of the Appellants to 10 hectares (24.17 acres) in respect to Suit no: M/779/93 whose subject matter was part of the 254 hectares owned by the Eletu family.
We immediately filed a motion for variation of the judgement of the Supreme Court pursuant to Order 8 Rule 16 of the Rules of Court. The said motion was heard and ruling delivered on 18/3/2014 granting statutory right of occupancy to the Appellants in respect to the entire 254 hectares sold to late Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu by the Respondents.
A copy of the ruling is hereby attached as annexure 2.
ENFORCEMENT
Upon the delivery of the Judgement, our client surreptitiously employed the services of S.B Joseph & Co to enforce the judgement before we applied for variation of the judgement with the intention of not paying our professional fees.
The judgement was however varied on 18/3/2014 as earlier stated.
NEW SUIT BY ESTATES/PERSONS AFFECTED BY THE JUDGEMENT
Several residential estates were affected by the judgement of the Supreme Court among which were Pinnock Estate, Beach Resort, NICON Estate, Friends’ Colony Estate and Victory Park Estate etc. Dele Farotimi was lawyer to one of the Estates.
The affected estates and individuals immediately filed fresh suits against the Eletu family with the purpose of frustrating the judgement of the Supreme Court.
The Eletu family were lured by the affected estates to settle some of the suits behind our law firm despite being counsel on record by filing terms of settlement with the aim of denying us our professional fees. This was admitted by Dele Farotimi in page 73 of his book ‘NIGERIA AND ITS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM’.
INTERVENTION BY LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
The Lagos State Government issued a publication indicating their awareness of the Supreme Court judgement and the need for the State to intervene in order to maintain public peace and order. The Lagos State Government invited us for several meetings with respect to compromising the judgement of the Supreme Court.
The said judgement was eventually compromised and the Eletu family were compensated by the Lagos State Government so as to avoid a massive dislocation of persons and communities directly affected by the Judgement.
DEFAMATION BY DELE FAROTIMI
Sometime on 2/11/2024, one of our lawyers while travelling through Murtala Muhammed Airport bought a book by Dele Farotimi titled ‘NIGERIA AND ITS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM’ published by Dele Farotimi publishers. He read the said book and immediately brought it to my attention. Many of my lawyers also bought the said book and read same.
We received several calls from professional colleagues, friends and family members who watched a program on Channel’s TV wherein Dele Farotimi was interviewed with respect to the said book where he made several defamatory statements against myself, my law firm Afe Babalola & Co (Emmanuel Chambers), Olu Daramola SAN and Ola Faro Esq.
We also received several calls from persons who saw excerpts of the book and interview on several social media platforms.
The said defamatory statements are detailed below:
“That Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgement in the service of his client” See page IX.
“That Aare Afe Babalola, Olu Daramola, Olu Faro and the law offices of Afe Babalola & Co, (Emmanuel Chambers) compromised the Supreme Court and the remaining semblance of integrity it might have had when they went back to the Supreme Court and got the Court to swim in the sewer of corruption and shameful self-Abnegation”. See page X.
“That Afe Babalola libeled me and the fact of the libel became known to me in a suit against Lawal Pedro SAN”. See page X.
“That I sued Afe Babalola SAN for libel and he leveraged his influence in the Judiciary to deny me justice”. See page X.
“That I have always been familiar with the fact of our perversion as a People and I have few illusions about equity and justice reigning in Nigeria but I had always assumed that there were lines that should never be crossed. I have however been slapped awake by the brazenness of the judicial brigandage unleashed on hapless citizens, corporate, and individuals by the Nigerian Supreme Court, acting under the direction of Aare Afe Babalola. At least five Justices of the Apex Court have been identified as guilty of odious corruption and or gross incompetence. Either is sufficient to have them removed from their office and this is my petition to the Nigerian people and most definitely to the NJC”. See pages 10 to 11.
“The first we knew of the magic been put together by Afe and his elves must have been around the middle of July”. See page 49
“While all this was going on, we had a meeting in the law office of Afe Babalola in Magodo, where Olu Daramola SAN made himself unavailable, and had us meet with Olu Faro, a younger counsel…..but Olu Faro Esq was remarkably insolent and assured that we were made aware of just how powerful the law office he worked for believed itself to be and how much above the law and the practice of law they believed themselves to be”. See page 52
“The judgement of the court was unanimous in giving judgement to the Eletu………..But Justice Rhodes-Vivour laid a foundation for the fraud that was to come. He spoke of an unextinguished equitable interest in 254 hectares”. See page 52 to 53.
“We quickly realized that the law office of Afe Babalola & Co, Emmanuel Chambers had outsourced the judgement execution to another law office, the firm of 5.B Joseph & Co the firm had fraudulently and deliberately concealed the judgement of AKA’AHS and had underlined the words of Justice Rhodes Vivour to deceive and perhaps mislead Atilade or as is more likely, Atilade was always a part of the original fraud”. See page 56.
“But even as Atilade J. played the contrition game, she was already part of the game plan being staged together by the grandmaster of judicial corruption in Nigeria, Afe Babalola. I have come to the conclusion that the required form of the application and her ruling were all part of the insidious plans of Afe Babalola, his band of crooked lawyers and coterie of crooked/incompetent justices of the Supreme Court”. See page 59.
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has successfully recovered over N31 million from four officers accused of unlawfully arresting and extorting a civilian. This recovery follows allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of power within the force, sparking widespread discussions about integrity and accountability in law enforcement.
The development was confirmed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who addressed the incident publicly while also dispelling rumors that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was involved in shielding a cartel suspected of introducing questionable new Naira notes into circulation. Adejobi reaffirmed the force’s commitment to justice and transparency in addressing such allegations.
The incident, which took place on August 26, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, implicated four officers: Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekeinde Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode. All officers were attached to Zone 7, Abuja. Acting on DSP Ejike’s directives, the team, led by Inspector Okafor, unlawfully detained a civilian, Andrew Ejah, an employee of Fatfad Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting N74,950,000 on behalf of his clients.
According to reports, the officers falsely reported that only N31,790,000 was recovered from the funds being transported. Furthermore, they allegedly pressured Mr. Ejah and his associates to forfeit a percentage of the recovered money in exchange for halting further investigations. These actions raised suspicions about the integrity of their claims and the actual amount recovered.
Dissatisfied with the officers' actions, the owners of the funds filed a petition with the Force Headquarters in Abuja. This led the IGP Monitoring Unit to initiate a thorough investigation. Their efforts resulted in the recovery of the N31,790,000 from the implicated officers. However, concerns remain regarding the full amount recovered from Mr. Ejah, as the discrepancies in reported figures suggest possible foul play.
The Nigerian Police Force has since taken disciplinary action against the involved officers. This case serves as a critical example of ongoing efforts to combat corruption and restore public trust within the police force. The NPF reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability and maintaining transparency in its operations, vowing to handle similar cases with utmost diligence in the future.
Media
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted claims that it discovered $800 million, ₦700 billion in cash, and drugs valued at ₦1 trillion at the residence of Bello El-Rufai, the eldest son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing the reports as false.
The commission made this known in a terse statement on its official Facebook account.
This clarification follows speculations that the EFCC discovered the alleged sums of money and drugs at Bello’s residence in Kaduna State.
However, the anti-graft agency described the claims as a false narrative of its activities.
The EFCC, therefore, urged Nigerians to disregard the reports, stating:
“‘EFCC Discovers $800 Million, ₦700 Billion Cash, and ₦1 Trillion Worth of Drugs at Nasir El-Rufai Son’s House in Kaduna’
"This piece of news quoted above is a false narrative of the activities of the EFCC. Members of the public are enjoined to ignore it.”
Daily Post reports that Bello El-Rufai also debunked the speculations, denying that the EFCC discovered large sums of money and drugs at his residence.
Former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Finance Commissioner Ademola Banu were arraigned yesterday at the State High Court in Ilorin, the state capital, for alleged stealing and mismanagement of N5.78 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the duo in October for allegedly stealing public funds meant for the payment of teachers’ salaries at the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC) as well as to provide security and other infrastructural facilities across the state.
The duo pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.
They were admitted to bail, and the case was adjourned for trial.
At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, the EFCC presented its first witness (PW1), Abubakar Hassan, an Assistant Director of Finance at UBEC.
Led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Hassan told the court that the state government misappropriated about N5 billion meant to execute projects at primary and junior secondary schools between 2013 and 2015, when Abdulfatah Ahmed was governor.
“The matching grant fund from UBEC is meant to provide certain infrastructural facilities for both students of primary and junior secondary schools. Such facilities include the construction of primary schools, provision of laboratories for students, construction of toilets, provision of water and sanitation and cultural education,” he said.
Explaining the objectives of the UBEC when it was established in 2004, Hassan said: “UBEC law provides that the Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board, its Executive Secretary, and the Director of Finance are signatories to Matching Grants Account. The Matching Grants Account is opened with any commercial bank or the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).”
The witness explained that the state has to prepare action plans (budgets), defend the projects, and get approval before it can access grants from UBEC.
The National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Yabagi Yusuf Sani, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu is being used as a cover for ongoing corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Sani, a former presidential candidate, claimed that recent discoveries coming out of the Central Bank of Nigeria were child’s play compared to what was going on in the NNPC, lamenting that no one seems to care.
In an interview on Channels Television, Sani, Energy and Crude oil expert, called on President Tinubu to act as fast as he could, insisting that Nigerians would not continue to fold their hands and watch.
“The running of the Petroleum industry in Nigeria is as bad as it can be. The report you’re talking about reported that in six months we lost 1.5 billion dollars.
“That is a conservative figure that the Obaseki Committee, set up by the NEC came up with…it’s more than that,” he stated.
He further alleged that, “My regret is that I don’t know how they got Mr President to become the shield of the NNPC rot.
“Do you know what you will get when you probe the NNPC? This is a joke ‘what you are getting from the CBN’.
“Somebody should tell Mr President, it is high time we beamed the searchlight on NNPC. We cannot be taken for a ride for so long.”
President Bola Tinubu is aware that Nigerians are suffering.
This is according to the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.
Pate stated this while assuring Nigerians that Tinubu will find a lasting solution to the hardship.
The minister gave the assurance at the quarterly review meeting of the Traditional Leaders’ Committee on Primary Healthcare Delivery, representing the 19 northern states, held at the Government House, Bauchi, the state capital, yesterday evening.
Prof Pate said the President is not only aware but deeply concerned about the plight of the people.
“President Tinubu knows what Nigerians are going through. He feels the pain, he cares, and he is working day and night to ease the suffering. His main focus is on how we can improve the living conditions of our people,” he said.
The Minister acknowledged that the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration have been tough on Nigerians, assuring that the long-term benefits would justify the sacrifices.
“Yes, there have been difficulties, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. After hardship comes relief,” he said.
He revealed that the federal government has been working tirelessly to address issues in key areas such as health and education.
According to him, 8,800 primary healthcare centers are now receiving regular funding through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, while 4,000 centers are being revitalized across the country.
“This work cannot be done by the President alone,” Prof. Pate emphasized. “State and local governments, along with traditional and community leaders, must come together to ensure that we achieve the Nigeria we all desire.”
In his remarks, Governor Bala Mohammed commended President Tinubu for his efforts and called for even greater collaboration between the federal and state governments.
Mohammed stated that his administration is committed to the Abuja Declaration, allocating 15 percent of the state budget to the health sector.
He also acknowledged the significant contributions of traditional and religious leaders in facilitating the establishment of over 300 primary healthcare centers across the state.
The governor expressed appreciation to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, for his role in mobilizing traditional rulers to create health awareness in communities.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of Bauchi State, Barrister Ibrahim Mohammed Kashim, Mohammed said, “We appreciate our traditional leaders for their efforts in mobilizing the grassroots and raising awareness. This is how we can truly reach the people and improve their lives.”
“As Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of reforms, the government is urging patience, unity, and collective action to bring about the desired relief and long-term development.”
In his goodwill message, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Country Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, commended the traditional rulers from the 19 northern states for their pivotal role in Nigeria’s fight against the wild poliovirus and their ongoing efforts to combat outbreaks.
Speaking through her representative, Shamina Sharmin, Munduate stated, “I applaud our Royal Fathers for their significant contribution to writing Nigeria’s unique success story in eradicating the wild poliovirus and their vital role in the ongoing battle against outbreaks.”
She emphasized the indispensable roles traditional leaders play in polio eradication, routine immunization, and primary healthcare delivery, particularly in raising awareness and encouraging healthcare utilization among vulnerable groups like women and children.
“Combating polio requires a collaborative effort involving government agencies, international organizations, local communities, and other stakeholders,” she said, stressing the need for stronger partnerships to address challenges such as low routine immunization coverage, nomadic movements, and achieving a polio-free Nigeria.
Munduate urged traditional leaders to intensify efforts in strengthening routine immunization and ensuring Nigeria remains free of polio.
She also reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and other stakeholders to drive vaccination-related behavior change within communities.
In her words, “UNICEF remains dedicated to working closely with partners to overcome challenges and ensure every child receives the necessary immunization, bringing us closer to a healthier and polio-free future.”
Nigerian star singer, Davido has opened up on why Nigerians prefer to give birth abroad.
While speaking in a recent episode of The Morning Hustle podcast, Davido said giving birth abroad is like buying an insurance policy.
He said children born abroad have access to foreign citizenship, opportunities, good medical care, and quality education, among others.
“Giving birth abroad is a common trend among Nigerians. Apart from having better [medical] facilities overseas, people want to have their kids abroad to save them the hassle of applying for visas,” he said.
Gov Babagana Zulum of Borno State has alleged that some people do not want the nefarious activities of Boko Haram to end because they are benefitting from it.
The governor, who disclosed this in an interview with BBC Hausa, lamented how some people, whom he claimed were profiting from the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast region and Chad, were scuttling the fight against it.
“There are people who don’t want this insecurity to end because they will not be happy with that,” he said.
The governor, who noted that success had been recorded in the fight against the insurgency, decried that Boko Haram members are now making influx back to the region after being flushed out from Chad.
He called on people to unite and support the security operatives in order to address the Boko Haram menace.
The governor, however, didn’t specifically mention those profiting from the insecurity in the region.
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Mother Who S3xually Abuse Her Two Children Under The Age Of Four Tells Police She Was Suffering 'Extreme Stress' From Divorce
AFOLABI
A 31-year-old mother has handed herself over to the authorities for s3xually abusing her children.
Keirsten White, of Opelousas in central Louisiana, has been charged with first-degree r@pe, s3xual battery, two counts of indecent behaviour with juveniles, and two counts of cruelty to juveniles.
Earlier this week, White entered the St. Landry Parish Jail and confessed that she s3xually and physically abused her children, both under the age of 4.
Detectives opened an investigation and with the cooperation of White, determined her claims to be true and she was promptly arrested, according to the announcement. White claimed that she was dealing with extreme stress due to a divorce.
Sheriff Bobby J Guidroz, of St Landry Parish said White turned herself in and gave cops all the harrowing details of her grisly crimes on Sunday.
'With this astonishing statement made and no outstanding warrants existing, the St Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office began their investigation,' Guidroz said in a statement.
'Detectives with the Juvenile Division were able to determine, through the cooperation of Keirsten White, the extent of the criminal activity involving the children.
'White admitted to detectives that she was dealing with extreme stress and frustration stemming from a divorce.
'While we, as Christians, should “hate the sin, not the sinner”, law enforcement has the sacred obligation to uphold the law.
‘We are thankful that White surrendered herself and was completely cooperative with detectives.’
If convicted, she could face life behind bars, the maximum penalty for first-degree r@pe under Louisiana law.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have criticised the federal government for labelling some citizens’ opposition to the four tax reform bills as ignorance.
The director general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Onilu, said that various quarters in the country are resisting the tax bill because they lack proper awareness regarding the benefits of the proposed tax reforms.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Federal Secretariat, Bauchi, during a press briefing with journalists on the potential benefits of the tax reform bills submitted by the presidency to the National Assembly for consideration, Mr Onilu insisted that the reforms offer many advantages, particularly for the poor. He added that those opposing them are political figures who stand to pay more taxes under the new regime.
The NOA Director General, represented by the National Director of Planning, Research, and Strategy, Nuru Kobi, said the agency is committed to promoting awareness of ethical values and national development.
He added that, in addition to tax reform, the agency is initiating sensitisation campaigns in other areas, including HIV prevention, security awareness, human rights, and discouraging “get-rich-quick” schemes.
Mr Onilu argued that critical stakeholders, including the media, must be involved in shaping positive public perspectives on these key issues. He revealed that the tax reform bill would soon be made available in local languages to enhance understanding.
For her part, Bauchi State director of the agency, Mrs Theresa Omaga, stated that officials intend to lead efforts in every community within Bauchi State’s 20 local government areas.
According to her, amplifying these efforts to ensure the message resonates with every Nigerian is paramount.
However, civil society organisations have criticised the government for chiding citizens on an issue the government has failed to provide adequate public education.
The CSOs that spoke to LEADERSHIP include the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Transparency International (TI), and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
“It is not wise to attack Nigerians. The government should engage in sensitisation. If the bills benefit Nigerians, they will accept them with adequate sensitisation. Bullying will not solve the problem. If the bills benefit Nigerians, the government should sensitise the people and dialogue with them,” the CSOs said while urging members of the National Assembly to be patriotic.
LEADERSHIP reports that the CSOs have advocated for fiscal policy reforms that address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges while promoting transparency and inclusiveness. They described the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 as a landmark legislative initiative that could transform the country’s fiscal framework by consolidating legal provisions, enhancing tax administration, and promoting economic transparency.
“However, we strongly urge the National Assembly and the Executive to critically examine and address key gaps in the bill to ensure its implementation fosters inclusivity, economic equity, and sustainable governance,” the CSOs said.
CISLAC executive director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, highlighted several critical concerns within the bill.
He said: “The proposed derivation model for VAT revenue distribution risks deepening economic disparities among states. Addressing such systemic inequities requires a constitutional review. To mitigate these challenges, we advocate establishing an Equalisation Fund to support less-developed states in building their human capital and institutional capacity until 2030. Additionally, VAT must be collected at the point of sale rather than remitted to corporate headquarters to enhance transparency and prevent regional disparities in revenue allocation.
“The proposed increase in VAT rates, which are set to double by 2030, raises significant concerns about its impact on inflation and poverty. We recommend maintaining the current VAT rate of 7.5% until the economy stabilises, coupled with measures to shield vulnerable populations from price shocks. It is also imperative that the list of VAT exemptions be expanded to include essential items such as cooking energy (LPG and kerosene) and electricity for consumer use, to mitigate the regressive effects of taxation on low-income households.”
“To ensure tax incentives are administered equitably, we emphasise the need for transparency in their implementation. Strengthening the enabling laws of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) is critical to preventing misuse and ensuring inclusivity. Furthermore, the bill’s provisions for an effective tax rate on multinationals and high-turnover companies must be backed by clear and enforceable guidelines. Strengthening compliance mechanisms will ensure that large corporations and multinational enterprises contribute their fair share to national revenue.”
“Revenue from the Development Levy must be transparently utilised to enhance education and institutional capacity in underserved regions, supporting long-term human capital development,” Rafsanjani stressed.
The CSOs underscored that fiscal policies should bridge socio-economic divides while fostering trust between the government and citizens.
He further urged the National Assembly to engage with stakeholders, including civil society organisations, to ensure the bill reflects the aspirations and needs of all Nigerians.
Senate Suspends Legislation
Meanwhile, the Senate has directed its Committee on Finance to halt further deliberations on the proposed tax bill until the outcome of a high-level meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
The announcement was made on Wednesday during the plenary session presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who revealed that a special committee had been formed to address the bill’s contentious provisions.
The meeting with the AGF to resolve the issues is scheduled for today, Thursday, December 5.
This decision follows intense discussions among lawmakers to resolve disagreements on key aspects of the proposed legislation. The contentious provisions have sparked debates among stakeholders over the past few days.
The Senate leadership also announced plans for a special meeting at the National Assembly, to be chaired by the Minority Leader.
The session aims to provide a platform for lawmakers to harmonise their positions and ensure that the bill aligns with national priorities while addressing concerns raised by stakeholders.
The special committee tasked with resolving the issues has the following members: Senators Abba Moro (chairman), Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Orji Uzor Kalu, Seriake Dickson, Titus Zam, Yahaya Abdullahi, Solomon Adeola, Sani Musa, and Mukhail Abiru.
The committee and Senate leadership are expected to lead efforts to ensure a balanced and inclusive approach to the proposed tax legislation.
[Leadership]
For northern politicians, accusations of acting against “northern interest” can be politically perilous. This is the charge the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has been battling since the controversy over the tax reform bills caused an uproar in the Senate.
Last Tuesday, Senator Barau, presiding over the Senate plenary in the absence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, faced one of the most challenging moments of his political career. He clashed with Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) during debates on the bills and permitted the presidential committee on tax reform to address the senators—a decision that has since sparked a storm of criticism.
The backlash, particularly on social media, has been intense. Critics accused the Kano North senator of betraying northern interests by allegedly supporting the controversial bills. He was also the focus of Friday sermons in some mosques, with a cleric in a widely shared video calling for divine judgement against him and other supporters of the bills.
A satirical video by social media influencer Dan Bello further inflamed tensions, portraying Barau as complicit in advancing policies that would impoverish northern citizens. Originally posted on TikTok, the video amassed over 100,000 likes, 2,000 comments, and 10,000 shares. It also gained traction on X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp, where users widely shared it to accuse Barau of supporting the bills to curry favour with the presidency.
While some analysts argued that Barau may be a victim of circumstance, others added that the widespread distrust of the Nigerian government and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has made him an easy target. Many critics contended that Barau should have found a way of excusing himself from presiding over the plenary last Tuesday or should have opposed the bills outright, including denying the presidential committee a platform to address lawmakers. Others, however, argued that as the presiding officer, Barau’s duty was to the Senate’s procedures, not regional sentiments.
Speculation about Barau’s political ambitions has also fuelled the controversy. Though he has not declared an intention to run for Kano State governor in 2027, some observers believe the incident has been politicised by rivals within the APC and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). These opponents are alleged to have amplified the narrative that Barau supports the bills, branding him as working against northern interests.
An X user, @Mk__maitama, highlighted this political dimension, accusing members of the NNPP’s Kwankwasiyya Movement—who have been among Barau’s harshest critics—of hypocrisy. He noted their silence when Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa (NNPP, Kiru/Bebeji) openly championed the tax reform bills and granted interviews supporting them.
Some commentators also linked the relocation of Barau’s son’s wedding fatiha to Maryam Nasir Ado Bayero from Kano to Abuja to the public outrage.
However, the family of Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero dismissed these claims, explaining that the change was to accommodate dignitaries from across Nigeria and abroad. In a statement, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, chairman of the organising committee, clarified that the relocation was a decision by the bride’s family and unrelated to the controversy.
Amid the uproar, prominent lawyer and social commentator, Bulama Bukarti, called for a fair assessment of Barau’s actions. “We need to be fair to him. Honestly, he hasn’t stated his position on this bill, whether in favour of or against it. People should calm down; the second reading is not the end of a law,” Bukarti said.
Barau also defended himself in an interview with the BBC Hausa, stating, “Nobody will come and do something that will cheat his people; nobody will do that.”
He explained that he allowed the presidential committee to address the Senate because further clarification on the bills was deemed necessary, as had been done in the House of Representatives.
“They [the committee] were invited, but some senators claimed they weren’t informed despite announcements on our platform. Nevertheless, the law allows us to proceed,” Barau said.
Addressing the social media backlash, he remarked, “Some people are already on standby to insult and defame others. They do this without understanding proper procedures. We politicise everything.”
In a show of support, a coalition of youth groups from northern states held a solidarity rally at the National Assembly on Tuesday, hailing Barau as the “Sardauna of our era.” A former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Tijjani Kabiru Mohammed, reiterated that Barau had neither endorsed nor opposed the tax reform bills but instead advocated for public sensitisation.
Observers believed the rally demonstrated that while some clerics and youths have criticised Barau, others stand firmly with him. They also opined that the protest underscored the political undertones of the development.
They suggested that this support might explain why Barau presided over Wednesday’s plenary, where the Senate announced the decision to step down legislative action on the bills.
[DailyTrust]
- Foreign investments safe, says Tinubu
South Africa is exploring an investment opportunity in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector to boost industrialisation and transport system.
Highlighting the elements of the investment drive, President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country would collaborate with Nigeria to harness lithium to drive the green energy transition and electric vehicles (EV) batteries.
The South African leader, who expressed his country’s interest at the Nigeria -South Africa Business Roundtable in Cape Town, said Nigeria’s vast lithium reserves could serve as a cornerstone for industrialisation in the EV sector.
At the session, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Nigeria is a safe haven for investments, adding that there is a guarantee for ease of doing business under his administration.
Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga said in a statement that during the interaction, President Ramaphosa urged the private sector and development finance institutions to collaborate in building infrastructure and developing the manufacturing capabilities in this sector.
Emphasising the role of critical minerals in the global shift to a low-carbon economy, the South African leader called for collaboration in mineral processing and beneficiation at the source.
He said such partnerships would ensure that both nations maximise the value derived from their resources while bolstering their positions in the rapidly growing clean energy manufacturing sector.
President Ramaphosa alluded to the ‘South Africa’s Just Transition Framework and Investment Plan,’ which anticipates significant investments in renewable energy and the green economy over the next few years.
He said the approach aligned with global efforts to achieve sustainable development while reducing carbon emissions.
Ramaphosa also drew attention to the opportunities in pharmaceuticals, underscoring how the two countries are strategically positioned to benefit from burgeoning industries tied to clean energy and innovation.
He urged businesses from both nations to actively engage in initiatives that support green energy and sustainable industrialisation.
President Ramaphosa stressed:”There is also much opportunity for cooperation on pharmaceuticals. Our two countries are strategically positioned to benefit from the rapid growth of clean energy manufacturing industries.
“South Africa has developed a Just Transition Framework and an Investment Plan that anticipates massive investments in renewable energy and the green economy over the next few years.
“As part of the broader global transition to a low-carbon economy, we must leverage the abundant natural resources that exist in our countries to promote green industrialisation.
“We should leverage each other’s capabilities in minerals processing. We must work together to ensure critical minerals are beneficiated at source. We call on businesses to support and involve themselves in these initiatives.”
G20: South Africa to endorse Nigeria
The South African leader said his country will “keenly” support Nigeria, “a valued sister country”, to become a member of the G20 club of the world’s major economies.
He gave the promise at the official launch of South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in Cape Town, few minutes before he received President Tinubu at Tuynhuys to co-chair the 11th Bi-National Commission between Nigeria and South Africa,
South Africa and the African Union are the continent’s only representatives in the G20.
Ramaphosa said other key African countries should also be admitted to the club “so that we can raise the voice from Africa, the neglected continent for the longest time.”
He said South Africa had been the lone voice for Africa in the G20 before the admission of the African Union last year after his country had lobbied for it to become a member.
He said: “We have a voice, we have a presence, and we will be the biggest growth story in years to come.
“Our population is going to grow by leaps and bounds, and therefore, as a continent, we are going to be a big noise, and we want that big noise to be recognised in the form of countries that will be part of the G20 right now.”
Nigeria safe for investment, says Tinubu
President Tinubu said Nigeria is safe for investment, urging South African businessmen not to entertain any fear.
To boost mutual confidence, Nigeria and South Africa fully operationalised the Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade, and Investment to enhance economic cooperation between the two leading African economies.
President Tinubu said Nigeria is open for business and ready to guarantee stability, security and the rule of law.
He promised to address the issues that discourage South African investors from growing their businesses and franchises in Nigeria, urging South Africa to reciprocate by allowing Nigerian companies to operate and flourish in the country.
President Tinubu said Nigerian officials would collaborate with their South African counterparts to facilitate the implementation of the agreed mandates under the Bi-National Commission.
He said: “Nigeria and South Africa are co-joined twins tied by the hips not only for survival but for the prosperity of the people.”
President Tinubu also said Nigeria is undergoing very stringent positive economic reforms to serve Nigerians and bring prosperity to Africa.
He added: “The reforms have begun to see the light of the day. You have no better investment than in Nigeria. You cannot earn better on your investments elsewhere except in Nigeria.”
President Ramaphosa, who shed light on the Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Trade, said it was launched during his state visit to Nigeria in 2021.
Its aim was to address trade and investment challenges, foster policy alignment, and create a conducive environment for business growth in both countries.
President Ramaphosa said: “Today, we agreed on the full operationalisation of the Council. This will support a conducive environment for improved trade and investment. Through the Council, we hope to ensure the efficient resolution of trade- and investment-related challenges.”
He acknowledged the strategic importance of both nations in their respective regions and the need to diversify trade relations to move beyond oil and gas dependency.
Ramaphosa added: “South Africa runs a large trade deficit with Nigeria, mainly due to oil and gas imports. We need to diversify our trade to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership.
“We are greatly encouraged by the presence of South African companies in Nigeria, just as we welcome Nigerian companies in South Africa.
“We do recognise that challenges still exist within our respective operating environments that limit the expansion of investment and sometimes impact on the operations of companies.”
[TheNation]