News
Reps probe tax law tweaks, PDP demands suspension
This was as the Peoples Democratic Party demanded that the Federal Government further shift forward by six months the January 1, 2026 take-off of the new tax law.
The opposition party said the shift became important following an alleged illegal alteration made to the law passed by the National Assembly.
The PDP added that the six-month shift would allow for “sufficient enlightenment campaigns on the new Act.”
President Bola Tinubu recently signed four major tax reform bills into law, marking what the government has described as the most significant overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades.
The laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, all operating under a single authority, the Nigeria Revenue Service.
The reforms are designed to simplify tax compliance, expand the tax base, eliminate overlapping taxes and modernise revenue collection across federal, state and local governments.
The laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, following a six-month transition period for public education and system alignment.
However, the reforms have continued to attract mixed reactions nationwide.
On Wednesay, a PDP lawmaker from Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, drew the attention of the House of Representatives to alleged discrepancies in the tax reforms passed by the National Assembly and the copy gazetted by the Federal Government.
Dasuki warned that if not addressed, the alterations would render the new tax laws legally vulnerable as they lack legislative approval.
At the resumption of plenary on Thursday, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, underscored the seriousness of the allegations by announcing a seven-man ad hoc committee to investigate the claims and submit a report to the House for further legislative action.
He said, “On the revised tax laws, the House leadership has unanimously agreed that a committee should be set up immediately to look into the matters that were raised and many others. In that respect, I’m happy to announce to you that the following members have been appointed to the committee. They are Mukhtar Betara as Chairman, Idris Wase, James Faleke, Sada Soli, Igariwey Iduma, Fredrick Agbedi and Babajimi Benson.”
At Wednesday’s plenary, Dasuki had called on the House to revisit the gazetted version of the law and compare to what the National Assembly passed.
“I plead that all the documents should be brought before the Committee of the Whole so that we can make the relevant amendments.
“This is a breach of the Constitution and our laws, and this should not be taken by this Honorable House,” he added.
In response to the allegation, the PDP, on Thursday, commended Dasuki “for his fastidiousness and courage in the discharge of his legislative duties.”
It demanded “that the commencement date of the Tax Act be shifted from January 1, 2026, for at least six months to allow sufficient time for the investigation of this anomaly.”
The PDP warned that the disparity must be comprehensively investigated “and not treated with the customary levity this administration has shown towards serious issues of governance.
“This criminal act of inserting unenacted sections into laws can erode public trust in parliamentary enactments. Nigerians deserve assurance that the laws they obey are those validly passed by their elected representatives, not provisions foreign to lawmakers,” the PDP said.
The PDP’s call comes a date after the National Opposition Movement, on Wednesdaym demanded the immediate suspension of the tax plan’s implementation, warning that forcing it through would worsen the living conditions of Nigerians.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, the NOM spokesperson, Chille Igbawua, said Nigerians were already struggling with poverty, unemployment and rising living costs, insisting the new tax regime would be punitive.
The NOM, a coalition of citizens drawn from various opposition parties, said it monitors policies affecting Nigeria’s security, economy and overall prosperity under the Tinubu administration, while advocating national liberation and transformation.
Igbawua described the planned implementation as “shocking” and “punitive,” arguing that Nigerians are already struggling to meet basic needs.
“This new tax plan must not take off now. Its implementation must be suspended immediately. This is not tax reform; it is a weapon fashioned against the economic well-being and social security of suffering Nigerians,” he said.
“You cannot tax hunger. You cannot tax poverty. And you cannot tax people into prosperity. Since coming to office, President Tinubu has shown that his priorities are not with ordinary Nigerians but with a few oligarchs tied to his economic and political interests.”
But the Federal Government, on Thursday, pushed back, alleging that some individuals were attempting to undermine the success of ongoing tax reforms, insisting that the policies are pro-poor and aimed at recalibrating national revenue generation.
The Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, made the allegation on Thursday during the inauguration of a Joint Committee of the National Orientation Agency and the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms in Abuja.
“We must state clearly that this is a pro-poor policy — one designed to recalibrate the revenue of this country in a way that ensures the poorest Nigerians are not harmed, except positively,” Fasua said.
He stressed that the reforms were not intended to increase the tax burden on citizens or small businesses, citing the partial opening of the Brass–Nembe Road as an example of infrastructure development made possible through improved revenue mobilisation.
“Recently, the Brass–Nembe Road was partially opened. That is the kind of progress we can expect when revenue and tax systems work better. We will also continue to draw lessons from how other countries have implemented similar reforms,” Fasua added.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
One person has been confirmed dead while three others sustained injuries following the collapse of a three-storey building in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The building, which reportedly housed students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, collapsed on Sunday night, trapping some occupants beneath the rubble.
The injured survivors were rescued and taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital, Oko, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has sealed off the site of the collapsed building, reaffirming its commitment to stricter enforcement of physical planning regulations and the elimination of unsafe construction practices.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barrister Chijioke Ojukwu, said preliminary findings indicated structural failure as the likely cause of the collapse.
He announced the immediate closure of the site pending comprehensive investigations and structural integrity assessments.
Ojukwu said the incident would mark a turning point in the enforcement of building regulations across the state, warning that owners and developers of defective or non-compliant structures would face sanctions.
He added that ongoing construction projects would also be subjected to stricter inspections.
The Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, said technical investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collapse, adding that a team of professionals had been deployed to conduct a comprehensive structural evaluation.
Ezeobi assured residents that recommendations arising from the investigation would be implemented to strengthen the state’s building control system, prevent future occurrences and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said medical personnel and ambulances were immediately deployed to the scene to provide emergency care for the injured.
He said the Ministry of Health worked closely with other emergency response agencies throughout the rescue operation.
Obidike commended the swift and coordinated response of the Anambra State Government and emergency agencies, describing it as crucial to the rescue efforts and the timely medical treatment of the victims.
The Mayor of Orumba North Local Government Area, Rtd. Capt. Casmir Nwafor, also praised the rapid intervention of the state government and emergency responders, noting that their coordinated efforts helped contain the situation and minimise further risks.
Nwafor urged developers, property owners, institutions and residents to strictly comply with approved building regulations and safety standards, reaffirming the local government’s support for the enforcement of physical planning laws.
An eyewitness, Prince Ifeanyi Ezefunamba, said the building, reportedly occupied by students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, collapsed at about 10:00 p.m. after occupants heard cracking sounds and began evacuating.
He said one survivor, Miss Chioma Akabike, narrowly escaped moments before the building collapsed, while rescue operations commenced immediately.
A traveller who arrived in Abuja aboard an Enugu Air flight has praised the airline for its service, describing the flight as smooth, calm and comfortable despite unfavourable weather conditions.
The traveller, Wordshot Amaechi Ugwele, in a viral social media post said Enugu Air had become a source of pride for the South-East and had significantly improved connectivity between Enugu and other parts of Nigeria.
Ugwele said the airline’s expansion to destinations including Benin and Kano had made air travel more accessible to residents of the region.
He said, “Today, our people can also fly directly from Enugu to Kano, a travel convenience that would have seemed unimaginable not too long ago, until Enugu Air made it a reality.”
Ugwele also commended Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for what he described as his vision, meticulous planning and disciplined execution in driving development across the state.
According to him, the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, connectivity and economic transformation had contributed to Enugu’s emergence as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing states.
He said the establishment and expansion of Enugu Air demonstrated the administration’s commitment to improving transportation and connecting Enugu with other parts of the country and beyond.
Prophetess Ezinne Nwanorue, a Nigerian preacher based in Canada, has sparked controversy online after appearing to celebrate the death of her mother-in-law in a social media post that has drawn widespread criticism.
The cleric shared the funeral poster of the deceased, Comfort Nwanorue, on Facebook on Monday, accompanying it with remarks in which she accused her late mother-in-law of being responsible for some of the challenges she had faced in the past.
Ezinne claimed she had endured years of spiritual attacks and persecution, saying she believed God had exposed those she held responsible for her struggles.
She also issued stern warnings to individuals she described as agents of evil, urging them to repent.
Her comments triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with many users criticising her for publicly expressing what they perceived as joy over the death of a family member.
The incident has also renewed public interest in Ezinne’s marriage to Franklin Nwanorue, which previously made headlines over a controversial fidelity oath he took before relocating to Canada.
Before leaving Nigeria, Franklin reportedly recorded a video in which he pledged to remain faithful to his wife, declaring that he should die if he ever cheated on her after relocating abroad.
However, Ezinne later accused her husband of violating the oath, alleging in a separate Facebook post that he had become involved with another woman despite his public declaration.
As of the time of filing this report, Franklin Nwanorue and other members of his family had yet to publicly respond to Ezinne’s latest social media post.
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally terminated the services of his longtime personal lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, directing him to stop representing him, his family or IPOB in any capacity.
In a letter dated July 22, 2026, and written from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, Kanu said Ejiofor’s engagement as his personal legal representative had previously been terminated verbally, adding that the latest letter served as formal written confirmation of the decision.
Kanu also withdrew any authority previously granted to Ejiofor to act for or represent IPOB, insisting that the lawyer no longer had any express, implied or ostensible authority to speak or act on behalf of the group.
Citing Section II, Subsection A of the IPOB Code of Conduct, Kanu said the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss principal officers rests exclusively with the IPOB leader unless expressly delegated.
He argued that no individual, committee or former office holder acting outside the provisions of the IPOB Code of Conduct could validly appoint or retain legal representatives for the organisation.
Kanu directed Ejiofor to immediately stop making public statements, granting interviews, issuing press releases or publishing social media posts on behalf of him, his family or IPOB.
He also instructed the lawyer to stop presenting himself as his legal representative or that of IPOB in any court, forum or public space, and to take the necessary legal steps to withdraw from any pending matters in which he remains counsel of record.
See also: Nnamdi Kanu engages new legal team as terrorism trial begins today
In the letter, Kanu warned Ejiofor against disclosing or misusing confidential information obtained during their lawyer-client relationship.
“Accordingly, I hereby place you on formal notice that you are not authorised to disclose, publish, communicate, exploit, or otherwise use any confidential or privileged information acquired in the course of your retainer, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose whatsoever, except as required by law or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, without my express written authorisation.
“Any unauthorised disclosure or misuse of privileged information may constitute professional misconduct and may give rise to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, as well as any other remedies available under the law.”
Kanu further cautioned that any breach of client confidentiality or unauthorised disclosure of privileged information could amount to professional misconduct and attract disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), in addition to other legal remedies available under Nigerian law.
I tightened the language, removed repetition and improved the flow while retaining the substance of the original report.
Rescue operations are ongoing following the late-night collapse of a three-storey building known as Elite Five Star Lodge, located beside Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The building collapsed on Sunday night, July 26, 2026, trapping some occupants beneath the rubble.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, a police-led joint security team was immediately deployed to the scene following a distress report.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday.
Ikenga said, “On receipt of the distress report, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, immediately mobilised to the scene, secured the area to prevent further danger, and coordinated rescue efforts.
“The Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also responded promptly and joined in the rescue operation.
“The Command notes that rescue operations are ongoing to reach other persons who may still be trapped, as the number of casualties or affected persons cannot yet be confirmed.
“Also, some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
“To this end, members of the public, especially residents in the area, are urged to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access.
“Further updates will be communicated as more verified information becomes available.”
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