News
Anambra Begins Implementation Of New Tax Laws Next Month, CITN Commends Innovations
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The Anambra state government has concluded arrangements for the implementation of the new tax laws from the month of January next year .
The new tax bill which was passed into law by the state House of Assembly is aimed at harmonizing all taxes in a bid towards eradicating multiple and double taxation hence checkmating revenue fraud in the system.
According to the Chairman Anambra Internally Generated Revenue Services AIRS Dr Greg Ezeilo at the Tax Summit in Awka , the era of paying cash is gone adding that the technology already put in place is far reaching in streamlining payment of taxes in the area.
This is coming as the President/Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mr. Innocent C. Ohagwa, on Friday praised the Executive Chairman of Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) Dr Greg Ezeilo for demonstrating exceptional professionalism and innovation in tax administration.
He noted that since the assumption of office by the Executive Chairman of AIRS, Ezeilo, the Service has evolved into a model worthy of emulation among subnational revenue authorities.
Mr. Ohagwa, who was represented by Dr. Ruth Arokoyo, a Council Member of CITN, delivered the commendation during the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service Tax Summit held in Awka, the state capital.
He congratulated the AIRS for convening the summit, describing it as “a commendable and pioneering initiative—the first of its kind.”
According to him, the timing of the summit is particularly significant, given that the 2025 Tax Acts constitute one of the most ambitious and comprehensive attempts at reforming Nigeria’s fiscal framework in recent history.
He stated that the summit further demonstrates the commitment of the Executive Chairman of AIRS, Dr. Greg Ezeilo, to advancing excellence in tax administration.
Mr. Ohagwa noted that tax reforms have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s economic life, affecting institutions, businesses, and citizens.
He stressed the importance of clarity, early preparation and shared understanding among stakeholders.
He lauded AIRS for demonstrating readiness ahead of the full implementation of the new laws, adding:
“The Service is not waiting for the law to take effect in January 2026 before acting. AIRS is preparing early, engaging widely, and positioning Anambra State to fully harness the opportunities of the new tax regime. This is the mark of a forward-thinking institution.”he added.
According to him, stakeholder dialogue in a period of reform is not optional but essential, as such platforms help taxpayers, professionals and administrators understand legal requirements, responsibilities and the long-term benefits of a shared culture of compliance.
He explained that CITN began engagement with the 2025 Tax Acts long before their passage.
The Institute participated in the Presidential Tax Reform Committee and has since organised technical webinars, policy dialogues, and capacity-building programmes to educate members and stakeholders on the new legal framework.
He stressed that a reform is only as effective as the institutions and people who implement it. The Institute, he said, remains fully committed to supporting AIRS as it strengthens its administrative systems and enhances the professional competence required for full implementation of the reforms.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Chairman of AIRS, Dr. Greg Ezeilo, declared that AIRS is making history by organising the first-ever Tax Summit of its kind by any state revenue service in Nigeria.
He noted that the initiative represents a significant milestone in the Service’s efforts to reform and modernise tax administration in Anambra State. According to him, the AIRS under his leadership will be intentional, firm and transparent in its enforcement approach, emphasising that there will be “no mercy for tax evaders” in the state.
Dr. Ezeilo also disclosed that AIRS will, in the coming weeks, organise town hall meetings to deepen engagement with tax stakeholders across the state.
Commenting on the Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) 2025, he explained that Nigeria has reached a significant turning point with a “one-stop shop” legal framework for the entire tax system.
“In this sense, whatever anyone needs to know about taxation in Nigeria, the NTA 2025 provides the answer,” he said.
He noted key impending changes effective January 1, 2026, include,The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) adopting a new name — Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS),The Joint Tax Board (JTB) transitioning to the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), following its last meeting under the old structure.
According to him, the new Act ushers in a new era of tax administration anchored on harmonisation, discipline, order, inter-governmental cooperation and shared prosperity for both tax authorities and taxpayers.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the annals of AIRS. After years of navigating challenges, we are now hosting the first-ever Tax Summit. From here, we embark on widespread enlightenment for Ndi Anambra and our neighbours,” he said.
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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