Aeesha's Blog

Category: Breaking News

  • ADC Calls For Suspension Of 2025 Tax Laws over Alleged Post-Approval Alterations

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate suspension of Nigeria’s recently introduced tax laws, alleging that critical provisions were altered after the bills were passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The party described the alleged modifications as a grave constitutional breach that undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.

    In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concern over what he termed discrepancies between the tax bills approved by lawmakers and the versions subsequently released to the public.

    Abdullahi said the alleged alterations raise serious questions about respect for legislative authority and constitutional procedures, warning that such actions, if proven, suggest an attempt by the Executive to centralise power.

    The party’s reaction followed a point of privilege raised on Dec. 17 by Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP–Sokoto) during plenary in the House of Representatives. Dasuki had drawn the attention of the House to reported differences between the harmonised tax bills passed by the National Assembly and the gazetted versions made public after presidential assent.
    According to the ADC, these discrepancies necessitate an immediate halt to the implementation of the tax laws to enable the legislature to thoroughly review the alleged changes and take corrective measures where necessary.

    “The African Democratic Congress has reviewed various reports which confirm doubts that the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu contain substantial alterations of key provisions that were not part of the original legislation approved by lawmakers,” the statement said.

    The party further claimed that its own review of the original bills and the gazetted laws revealed that key accountability provisions were removed, while new clauses allegedly granting expansive coercive powers to the Executive were inserted.

    Abdullahi alleged that some of the new provisions empower government agencies to arrest individuals and take over property for non-compliance with tax obligations, without recourse to the courts.

    He reiterated that while the ADC has consistently opposed tax measures it believes would worsen the economic hardship faced by citizens and businesses, the present issue transcends taxation.

    “This matter goes beyond tax policy. It reflects a mindset that shows disregard for democratic institutions, constitutional boundaries and the rule of law,” the statement added.

    The party described any post-legislative alteration of laws as a direct assault on constitutional governance, stressing that only the legislature is empowered by the Constitution to make laws.

    “Altering legislation and gazetting it after it has been passed by 469 elected representatives of the Nigerian people is a direct assault on constitutional governance. It is indicative of totalitarian tendencies by a President seeking to concentrate power, even if it means violating the Constitution from which he derives his authority,” the ADC stated.

    The opposition party called for a full investigation into the alleged alterations and demanded the swift prosecution of any government official found culpable.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, any legislation not passed strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions cannot stand. To accept that the Executive can insert or remove even a punctuation mark after passage is to usurp legislative authority and poses a grave danger to our democracy,” the statement said.

    The ADC therefore urged the immediate suspension of all 2025 tax laws signed by President Tinubu to allow for a comprehensive legislative review, which it described as the only reasonable step to safeguard constitutional order and the separation of powers.

    The party also reiterated its demand for a thorough investigation and the prosecution of any officials involved in the alleged forgery of legislative documents, warning that failure to address the matter could set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.

  • Electrical Fault Suspected As Fire Guts FIRS Abuja Office

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has confirmed that a fire incident occurred on the fourth floor of its office complex in Abuja on Saturday, with preliminary findings pointing to an electrical fault as the likely cause.
                                                               The service disclosed this in a statement issued via its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.

    According to the statement, the fire outbreak was promptly detected by on-duty security personnel, who immediately activated emergency response measures to contain the situation.

    FIRS said that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service, alongside other emergency responders, arrived at the scene swiftly and successfully brought the fire under control, preventing it from spreading to other sections of the building.

    The agency confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the incident.

    “Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, although a comprehensive investigation is still ongoing,” the statement read.
    However, FIRS acknowledged that several offices located on the affected fourth floor sustained varying degrees of damage as a result of the fire.

    The management assured that steps were being taken to assess the extent of the damage and restore normal operations in the affected areas as soon as possible.
    FIRS also stated that it had commenced a review and strengthening of its internal safety and fire prevention protocols to forestall a recurrence of such incidents in the future.

    The service expressed appreciation to the FCT Fire Service, other emergency responders, and its staff for their prompt and coordinated response, which it said helped to ensure the safety of personnel and minimise property damage.

  • NDLEA Seizes 1,396 kg Of Narcotics, Arrests 150 Suspects In Adamawa

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully seized 1,396.5 kilograms of narcotics and arrested 150 suspects in Adamawa State in December.

    The Commander of NDLEA in Adamawa, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, disclosed this during a news conference themed: “Expose a Drug Dealer Today: Save the Future of Adamawa Youth” held on Saturday in Yola.

    Abubakar stated:
    “In the series of coordinated intelligence-driven operations across the state, including at the Airport, we have recorded landmark successes, dismantling drug joints and intercepting deadly
    consignment. We seized 353 kg of cannabis sativa, 983 kg of Tramadol, and 60.5 kg of other opioids.”
                                                                 He further revealed that NDLEA operatives also seized two vehicles linked to alleged drug offences.

    “The command recorded six convictions and currently has 53 pending cases in court, while it counselled and rehabilitated 39 individuals arrested for drug abuse,” Abubakar added.

    Other activities undertaken by the command, he noted, included:
    Six War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programmes

    Securing the forfeiture of valuables worth N163,170 to the Federal Government

    Clearing one hectare of cannabis farmland across villages in Lamurde, Toungo, and Mubi-North Local Government Areas

    “The month of December 2025 has been one of the most intensive and productive operational periods in the recent history of this command. We have struck at the very heart of the trade in our state with unprecedented force and precision,” he said.

    Abubakar emphasized that the fight against drug abuse requires collective effort and called on traditional and religious leaders to complement the agency’s work by sensitising their communities.

    He attributed the successes achieved to the inspirational leadership of retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA:

    “His dynamic, result-oriented, and no-nonsense leadership philosophy has re-energised the agency. His clear vision of proactive intelligence has provided the template for our operations.”

    The commander also expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa for donating two brand-new operational vehicles to the command.

    In a related development, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, intercepted 3,453 parcels of Cannabis sativa with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N435,078,000 at various locations across the state.

    The Area Comptroller, Mr. Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this while handing over the seized drugs to Mr. Olaniyi Ekundayo, Commander, NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command.


    Afeni explained that the intercepted Cannabis sativa was seized through six intelligence-driven operations conducted between December 4 and Monday across multiple locations.

  • CBN Directs Banks To Configure ATMs, POS Terminals For Foreign Card Transactions

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks and non-bank acquirers to implement multi-factor authentication for foreign card transactions exceeding $200 per day, $500 per week, and $1,000 per month, in a bid to enhance security and facilitate seamless access to funds across the country.

    In a circular dated December 18 and signed by Rita Sike, Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department, the apex bank instructed financial institutions to also configure automated teller machines (ATMs), point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and virtual terminals to accept international cards in compliance with card association standards.

    The CBN said the directive is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted and efficient local currency withdrawals, payments, and transfer services for users of foreign-issued payment cards in Nigeria.

    It also noted that the measures are intended to improve access to funds, strengthen security, and enhance the experience of tourists and Nigerians in the diaspora visiting the country.

    The circular further outlined operational requirements for banks and acquirers, including:
    Ensuring multi-factor authentication for all withdrawals and online transactions above the prescribed thresholds.

    Compliance with approved cash withdrawal limits at ATMs.
    Clear communication of applicable exchange rates, based on prevailing official rates, and associated charges to users before transactions are completed.

    Maintenance of sufficient liquidity to settle transactions.
    Settlement of merchant transactions in local currency (Naira).

    Implementation of transaction monitoring systems to detect unusual patterns in foreign card usage.

    Strengthened know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) measures for merchants handling foreign card payments.
                                                    Verification and retention of transaction documentation for a minimum of 12 months, with records retrievable within 24 hours for dispute resolution and chargebacks.

    Provision of quarterly training to merchants and agent networks on dispute handling and chargeback processes.

    Additionally, the CBN directed banks and non-bank acquirers to report suspicious transactions to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and recalibrate fraud-monitoring systems to reduce false declines on legitimate transactions.

    The regulator also emphasized the inclusion of contactless payment options for low-value transactions and urged institutions to resolve consumer complaints within approved timelines, warning that unresolved cases escalated to the CBN would attract sanctions.

    Tourists and Nigerian returnees experiencing difficulties using foreign-issued cards were encouraged to report incidents to the CBN’s Consumer Protection Department via
    complaint4cbn@cbn.gov.ng.
                                                                 The CBN concluded that it would monitor compliance with the directive and impose appropriate sanctions on any institutions found to be in breach.

  • Remaining 115 St. Mary’s Catholic Students Regain Freedom In Niger

    The remaining 115 students of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, who were abducted by bandits, have regained their freedom, about one month after their kidnapping.

    The schoolchildren were among 315 persons, including students and teachers, abducted in a midnight raid on the school on Nov. 21, 2025. 

    The source reports that the attackers stormed the remote school community at about 2:00 a.m. and operated unhindered for nearly three hours.
    During the attack, a total of 303 students and 12 teachers were forcefully taken away, triggering widespread outrage and a massive security response from the Federal Government.
    Within 24 hours of the incident, 50 students reportedly escaped from captivity and were reunited with their families, leaving 265 persons in the hands of the abductors, including 253 children and all 12 teachers.
    About two weeks ago, 100 of the abducted students were released and returned to their families, leaving 115 students still in captivity until their release on Friday evening.
    Although there has been no official confirmation from the Niger State Government or security agencies, credible sources told that the remaining students were freed in a forest area located between Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of the state.
    According to reports, security operatives attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have been mobilised to evacuate the freed students under heavy security to ensure their safe return and medical evaluation.
    A source familiar with the development disclosed that the release followed intensive negotiations between government representatives and the abductors.
    However, as of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear whether any ransom was paid to secure the release of the students.
    To address the crisis following the abduction, the Federal Government had earlier imposed a 24-hour security lockdown in the affected area and launched extensive aerial surveillance operations across parts of Niger, Kwara and Kebbi States.
    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was also reported to have cancelled a scheduled international trip at the time in order to personally oversee and coordinate the rescue efforts.
    The abduction of students and teachers in Niger State has renewed concerns over the safety of schools, particularly in rural and remote communities, amid the continued activities of armed bandits across parts of the country.

  • ALERT: NAFDAC Bans Indomie Vegetable Flavour, Advises Nigerians To Avoid Product

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered the recall of Indomie Noodles, Vegetable Flavour, citing the presence of undeclared allergens that pose potential health risks to consumers.
    NAFDAC disclosed that the affected product contains milk and eggs, which were not declared on the product label, thereby exposing consumers with allergies or intolerances to serious health complications.
    The agency made this known in a public statement on Saturday, following a recall notice issued by the French food safety authority, Rappel Conso, concerning the Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles.
    According to NAFDAC, the undeclared allergens “may pose a significant health risk to consumers who are allergic or intolerant to milk and eggs.”
    It explained that although the likelihood of the recalled product entering Nigeria remains low due to the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of noodles, there is still a need for heightened vigilance to prevent possible illegal entry or circulation of the affected brand.
    “NAFDAC is informing the public that the French authority (Rappel Conso) has issued a notice regarding the recall of the Indomie brand Noodles, Vegetable Flavour,” the statement read.
    “This recall is due to the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs, which may pose a significant health risk to consumers with allergies or intolerances.”
    The agency added that it has commenced vigilance and surveillance actions nationwide to guard against the possible entry of the recalled product, noting that acquisition through online purchases or international travel cannot be completely ruled out.
    NAFDAC therefore urged distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution across the supply chain to prevent the distribution, sale, or consumption of the recalled Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles.
    “Consumers are advised to discard the product and not consume it,” the agency said.
    It also encouraged members of the public to report any suspected sale or presence of the affected product to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its consumer complaint line 0800-162-3322.
    NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health, noting that counterfeit and substandard products remain a major concern in Nigeria, often resulting in illness and other health challenges for unsuspecting consumers.
    The agency has continued to issue public safety alerts and recalls on products deemed dangerous to the well-being of Nigerians as part of its regulatory mandate.

  • Price Cut: Over 1,000 Trucks Load Petrol Daily At Dangote Refinery

    The Dangote Petroleum Refinery says more than 1,000 fuel trucks now load Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily from its facility, following recent reductions in petrol prices and adjustments to its supply terms.
    The refinery disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday night, describing the facility as a major hub for fuel distribution in Nigeria after what it termed “bold strategic adjustments aimed at making energy more affordable and accessible.”
    According to the statement, the development followed the reduction of the pump price of PMS to ₦699 per litre and a cut in the minimum purchase requirement from two million litres to 250,000 litres.
    “These measures underscore Dangote Refinery’s commitment to stabilising supply, fostering inclusivity and supporting national economic growth,” the company said.
    To further boost confidence among marketers, the refinery announced the introduction of a 10-day bank guarantee system, which it said would ensure uninterrupted supply and strengthen trust in its operations.
    “Since the announcement, the response from fuel marketers has been overwhelming. The refinery now records over 1,000 trucks loading PMS daily from its gantry, a clear testament to market trust in the Dangote Refinery’s efficiency and leadership in the downstream sector,” the statement added.
    President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, was quoted as saying that the company’s objective was to make energy affordable and accessible to Nigerians.
    “Our goal has always been to make energy affordable and accessible for every Nigerian. By reducing prices and lowering the minimum purchase volume, we are empowering both large and small marketers to participate in the market, ensuring fuel reaches every corner of the country,” Dangote said.
    The statement noted that the new approach has opened the market to smaller operators, strengthened distribution networks and improved fuel availability nationwide.
    “By lowering barriers to entry, Dangote Refinery is driving competition and ensuring Nigerians benefit from a more stable and affordable fuel supply chain,” it stated.
    Speaking to journalists last week, Dangote reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Nigerians enjoy the benefits of domestic refining, stressing that the company was working to ensure recent price reductions at the gantry were reflected at retail outlets.
    He also said the refinery project was driven by legacy considerations rather than profit, noting that he could have invested the estimated 20 billion dollars used for the project elsewhere if financial returns were his sole motivation.
    Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) had on Thursday urged its members nationwide to patronise the Dangote Refinery for the purchase of PMS.
    IPMAN said the refinery currently offers the most affordable prices for marketers, adding that free delivery of products is expected to commence in January 2026.

  • Tinubu Presents ₦58.18trn 2026 Budget, Allocates ₦5.41trn To Defence, ₦3.52trn To Education

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday presented a ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, with major allocations to defence, infrastructure, education and health.

    The budget, tagged “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” was laid before lawmakers at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

    Present at the joint sitting were the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; principal officers of both chambers; and other top government and party officials, including the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Presenting the proposal, Tinubu said he appeared before the lawmakers in fulfilment of his constitutional duty to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill, describing the occasion as a “defining moment” in Nigeria’s reform journey.

    He acknowledged that the economic reforms implemented over the past two and a half years had imposed pains on citizens, but assured Nigerians that their sacrifices were yielding results.

    According to him, Nigeria’s economy is showing signs of stabilisation, citing a 3.98 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the third quarter of 2025 and moderation in inflation for eight consecutive months to 14.45 per cent in November 2025.

    The president also highlighted improved oil production, stronger non-oil revenues and rising investor confidence as indicators of recovery.

    Tinubu disclosed that the country’s external reserves had risen to a seven-year high of about 47 billion dollars as of mid-November 2025, providing more than 10 months of import cover.

    “These outcomes are not accidental. They reflect difficult but deliberate policy choices,” the president said, stressing that the focus going forward was to ensure that stability translates into prosperity and shared prosperity for Nigerians.

    A breakdown of the proposal shows that total revenue is projected at ₦34.33 trillion, while total expenditure stands at ₦58.18 trillion, inclusive of ₦15.52 trillion earmarked for debt servicing.

    Recurrent (non-debt) expenditure is put at ₦15.25 trillion, while capital expenditure is projected at ₦26.08 trillion.

    The resulting budget deficit of ₦23.85 trillion represents about 4.28 per cent of GDP.

    Key assumptions underlying the budget include a crude oil benchmark of 64.85 dollars per barrel, oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the U.S. dollar.

    Tinubu said the figures were a reflection of national priorities and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fiscal sustainability, debt transparency and value-for-money spending.

    In terms of sectoral allocation, security tops the chart with ₦5.41 trillion, followed by infrastructure with ₦3.56 trillion, education with ₦3.52 trillion, and health with ₦2.48 trillion.

    Unveiling what he described as a reset of Nigeria’s national security architecture, the president announced a unified counter-terrorism doctrine.

    “Henceforth, any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actor operating outside state authority will be regarded as terrorists,” Tinubu declared.

    He listed bandits, militias, armed gangs, kidnappers, violent cult groups, forest-based armed collectives and foreign-linked mercenaries, warning that their financiers, arms suppliers, ransom facilitators, political sponsors and even community or religious leaders who aid violence would also be designated as terrorists.

    On budget implementation, Tinubu admitted that the 2025 budget faced transition challenges, revealing that as of the third quarter of 2025, ₦18.6 trillion in revenue, representing 61 per cent of the target, and ₦24.66 trillion in expenditure, about 60 per cent of the target, had been recorded.

    He said only ₦3.10 trillion, representing 17.7 per cent of the 2025 capital budget, had been released by the third quarter.

    The president pledged stricter fiscal discipline in 2026, directing the finance and budget authorities to implement the budget strictly in line with approved details and timelines.

    He also warned heads of Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) to meet their revenue targets, noting that end-to-end digitisation would be deployed to plug leakages.

    “Nigeria can no longer afford inefficiencies or underperformance in strategic agencies. Every institution must play its part,” Tinubu said.

    On human capital development, the president disclosed that over 418,000 students had benefitted from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund in partnership with 229 tertiary institutions nationwide.

    He added that health spending accounted for about six per cent of the total budget, excluding liabilities, with over 500 million dollars in prospective U.S. grant funding expected for targeted health interventions.

    Addressing food security, Tinubu said agriculture would be prioritised through mechanisation, irrigation, climate-resilient farming, storage facilities and agro-value chains to reduce post-harvest losses and boost smallholder incomes.

    “The greatest budget is not the one we announce; it is the one we deliver,” the president said, assuring Nigerians of improved revenue mobilisation, smarter spending and stronger accountability.

    Laying the bill before lawmakers, Tinubu said the 2026 budget belonged to all Nigerians and expressed confidence that cooperation between the executive and legislature would ensure effective delivery of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “It is with great pleasure that I lay before this distinguished joint session of the National Assembly the 2026 Appropriation Bill of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.

  • Tinubu Seeks N’Assembly Approval To Extend 2025 Budget Implementation To March 2026

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the approval of the National Assembly to extend the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act to March 31, 2026, as part of efforts to end the long-standing challenge of overlapping budget cycles in the country.

    The request was contained in a letter dated Dec. 18, 2025, which was read on Friday during a special plenary session of the House of Representatives by the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas.

    President Tinubu explained that the new letter supersedes an earlier communication sent to the National Assembly on Dec. 16, 2025, noting that the proposed extension forms part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at improving budget planning, execution and accountability in public finance management.

    According to the President, extending the budget timeline would allow the Federal Government to release at least 30 per cent of capital allocations to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), stressing that persistent delays in fund releases have continued to undermine effective budget performance.

    He further disclosed that the proposal includes the repeal and reenactment of both the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts.

    Under the new arrangement, the 2024 budget would be revised upward to N43.56 trillion, while the 2025 budget would be adjusted to N48.32 trillion and extended to run until March 31, 2026.

    Tinubu explained that the proposed amendments would also accommodate expenditure items that were not previously captured and ensure that budget implementation aligns with prevailing fiscal realities and the government’s execution capacity.

    He urged members of the National Assembly to consider and pass the relevant bills expeditiously in the interest of national development and economic stability.

    Since assuming office in May 2023, the President noted, the Federal Government has faced recurring challenges associated with overlapping budgets, largely due to delays in budget passage, revenue shortfalls and the slow release of capital funds.

    The President expressed optimism that the proposed measures, if approved, would strengthen fiscal discipline, enhance budget credibility and improve overall economic management.

  • IPMAN Directs Members To Buy Petrol From Dangote Refinery

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a nationwide directive instructing its members to prioritise the purchase of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

    The association said the directive was informed by the refinery’s competitive pricing and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, IPMAN National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, said the move was aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products while supporting local production.

    According to him, patronising the Dangote Refinery would help stabilise the downstream sector and ensure better supply efficiency across the country.

    “I am calling on all IPMAN members nationwide to prioritise patronising the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, as they already offer the most affordable price for marketers today,” Shettima said.

    He disclosed that the directive comes ahead of a major logistics upgrade by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is expected to commence direct supply of PMS to registered IPMAN members from January 2026.

    Shettima explained that the planned arrangement would include free delivery of petrol to filling stations nationwide, a move expected to significantly reduce distribution costs for marketers.

    IPMAN further stated that the initiative would improve fuel supply efficiency, stabilise distribution nationwide and potentially lead to lower pump prices for consumers.

    The association, which controls more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s petrol retail outlets, warned that continued reliance on fuel importation undermines the growth of the local refining industry and weakens the domestic market.

    It expressed optimism that increased patronage of locally refined products would boost Nigeria’s energy security and support the Federal Government’s drive for self-sufficiency in petroleum production.

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