NIGERIA NEWS
Peter Obi Raises Alarm Over Alleged Forgery of Nigerian Laws and Budgets
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns over what he described as the alleged alteration and forgery of Nigerian laws, warning that the situation threatens the foundation of constitutional governance in the country.
Obi accused the Federal Government of allowing a system where laws passed by the National Assembly are allegedly changed before being published and enforced.
He said this development represents a dangerous shift from past issues of padded budgets to a new era where the integrity of Nigeria’s laws is now in question.
The former Anambra State governor made the allegations in a statement titled “Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws,” which he shared on his official X handle on Saturday.
In the statement, Obi claimed there are clear and documented differences between bills approved by lawmakers and the versions eventually released as law by the executive arm of government.
According to him, the issue is not a minor administrative lapse but a major constitutional problem that reflects deep-rooted institutional decay. He warned that such actions undermine public trust, weaken democracy, and negatively affect citizens’ rights.
Obi stated that Nigeria appears to have moved beyond financial manipulations in budgeting to a more alarming practice where laws are allegedly altered after legislative approval.
He said this development directly affects taxpayers, the justice system, and the rule of law.
He further accused the Presidency of maintaining silence over allegations that involve possible forgery, abuse of process, and institutional sabotage.
Obi questioned why such a serious matter has not been addressed openly, especially given its implications for governance and accountability.
In his words, he said:
“Our national shame continues to unfold, evident in the decisions made by our leaders, even at the highest levels of government. This shame is highlighted by a deeply troubling—and frankly unacceptable—issue: the documented discrepancies between what the legislature passed and what was ultimately published as law by the executive. This is not merely an administrative oversight; it is a serious matter that strikes at the core of constitutional governance and reveals the extent of our institutional decay.”
Obi also expressed concern over what he described as newly introduced enforcement powers that were never approved by the House of Representatives. These include a mandatory 20 per cent deposit before appeals can be heard, asset sales without proper judicial oversight, and the granting of arrest powers to tax authorities.
He warned that such provisions, if truly not passed by lawmakers, amount to a serious violation of democratic processes and could be used to intimidate citizens.
“We have transitioned from a Nigeria where budgets are padded to one where laws are forged—changes that impact taxpayers’ rights and, most importantly, access to justice,” Obi said.
The former governor stressed the need for full transparency, insisting that Nigerians deserve to know exactly what was passed by the National Assembly, what was signed into law, and what is currently being enforced.
He added that citizens cannot continue to be burdened with higher taxes while confidence in governance continues to erode.
“All of this must be made public. Nigerians need to understand what was signed, what was passed, and what was formally recorded. We cannot continue to ask citizens to pay more taxes while trust in governance collapses,” he stated.
Obi concluded by calling for leadership that respects due process, accountability, and the rule of law, warning that no nation can develop under a system where laws are allegedly forged and critical questions are met with silence.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public health alert warning Nigerians against the consumption of recalled Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles due to the presence of undeclared allergens.
According to the agency, the alert followed a recall notice issued by French food safety authorities, Rappel Conso of France.
The recalled product was reportedly found to contain milk and egg allergens that were not declared on the product label, posing a serious health risk to consumers who are allergic or intolerant to these substances.
Undeclared allergens raise health concerns
NAFDAC explained that undeclared allergens such as milk and eggs could trigger severe reactions in affected individuals, including breathing difficulties and other allergic responses.
The agency stressed that proper labelling is critical to consumer safety, especially for people with known food allergies.
While the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of noodles significantly reduces the likelihood of the recalled product entering Nigeria, NAFDAC noted that the risk cannot be completely ruled out.
Products may still enter the country through illegal importation, online shopping platforms, or international travellers.
Agency steps up monitoring nationwide
NAFDAC disclosed that it has commenced vigilance and monitoring activities to prevent the recalled Indomie noodles from circulating in Nigerian markets.
Distributors, retailers, and other stakeholders within the food supply chain were advised to be alert and avoid the sale or distribution of the affected product.
Consumers who may already have the recalled Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles were strongly warned not to consume them.
NAFDAC also urged members of the public to report any suspected sale or circulation of the product to the agency to enable swift regulatory action and protect public health.
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NIGERIA NEWS
Christian Clerics, Others Call for Arrest of Bafarawa, Yerima over Killings in North-west – THISDAYLIVE
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
A group of inter-faith religious leaders from northern Nigeria, styling themselves as the Concerned Northern Inter-Faith Clergy for Peace, has urgently called on President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate arrest and prosecution of former governors Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto State and Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara State respectivey.
The clerics led by Bishop Sunday Bawa in a press conference in Abuja, alleged that the two ex-governors bear responsibility for laying the foundations of the rampant banditry terrorising the North-west region.
The appeal, issued in a strongly worded statement during the Yuletide season, references a widely circulated video released earlier this month by notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji.
In the video, Turji accused Bafarawa and Yerima of seizing and selling vast grazing reserves designated for herders and arming vigilante groups, known as Yan Banga, which he claimed targeted and killed Fulani communities.
These actions, Turji alleged, sparked ethnic tensions and cycles of reprisal attacks that escalated into the current wave of kidnappings, massacres, and cattle rustling.
“Even though Turji is a confessed terrorist… we cannot ignore his words,” the clergy said in a statement signed by Imam Sheikh Yusuf Sarki, Bishop Pius Dauda and 10 others.
The group emphasised that the allegations point to deep-rooted issues of land dispossession and armed vigilantism that allowed criminal gangs to evolve into the “monsters” now plaguing the region.
The inter-faith body, comprising imams, pastors, bishops, and other spiritual leaders, expressed solidarity with bereaved families who have also petitioned President Tinubu for an investigation into the claims.
These families, many of whom have lost loved ones to bandit attacks, described the president as their “last hope” for justice after local efforts yielded no results.
Bawa highlighted the devastating toll of banditry, describing it as an “unfolding genocide.”
They cited figures indicating over 13,485 deaths from banditry between 2010 and May 2023, with at least 2,266 killed in the first half of 2025 alone—surpassing the total for all of 2024.
Reports from bodies like Amnesty International and the National Human Rights Commission document thousands kidnapped, injured, or displaced, while economic losses run into trillions of naira due to disrupted farming, trade, and ransoms.
The statement criticised responses from Bafarawa and Yerima as “empty echoes” and denials, noting that the former governors claimed no significant banditry existed when they left office in 2007 and questioned the timing of the accusations.
“Time heals no guilt,” the clerics retorted, arguing that evasion only fuels suspicion and impunity.
In a direct Yuletide appeal to President Tinubu, the group urged him to “immediately direct the arrest and prosecution” of the two former governors for “alleged acts that laid the foundations of this terror.”
They further called for a transparent, independent probe—possibly with international oversight—into the allegations, alongside measures to address root causes like poverty and land disputes.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of 12 persons with two others injured in an auto crash that occurred on Friday along the Ejule – Enugu highway in Kogi.
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Mr Tenimu Etuku, The FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi, disclosed this to newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday.
Etuku described the accident as “fatal and very unfortunate”, adding that one child was among 12 persons that died.
According to him, the crash occurred at about 11.30 p.m. in the Iboko community, Idah Local Government Area, involving an 18-Seater Toyota Hiace Bus belonging to Romchi Mass Transit.
The ill fated bus, Etuku said, was travelling from Abuja to the eastern part of the country but ramped into a parked faulty articulated vehicle due to over speeding.
The sector commander said that his personnel, who carried out the rescue, have rushed the injured to Mercy of Jesus Hospital Ejule for medical attention, while the dead bodies were deposited in the morgue.
Etuku, who expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased, reiterated the dangers of excessive speed and reckless overtaking by motorists.
“At this yuletide, motorists must be careful and adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations to avoid such accidents and wastage of precious lives.
“I believe this is one way to help the FRSC and the federal government reduce the alarming rate of road traffic crashes and fatalities in the country.
“I hereby urge drivers to exercise patience and maintain safe driving practices, especially during long-distance journeys in this yuletide,” he advised.
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In accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the Impacthive Centre for Accountability, Democracy and Rights (ICADAR) has requested the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to furnish it with a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between the agency and Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP), the tax authority in France.
In a letter addressed to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, the civil society organisation also requested to be furnished with the procedure followed in the appointment of Xpress Payment Solutions Limited as a Treasury Single Account (TSA) collecting agent.
Additionally, the CSO requests information on the persons behind Xpress Payment Solutions Limited and the percentage of revenue that Xpress Payment Solutions Limited is authorised to collect for their services.
According to the letter signed by Dr Bello Ishaq, Executive Director of ICADAR, all the requested information is to be provided within seven (7) working days from the date of receipt of the letter:
It would be recalled that since the FIRS sealed the deal, there have been protests from critics and analysts across the country. For instance, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) kicked against the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the French Directorate Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFP) on digital transformation and information exchange, as well as the appointment of Xpress Payment Solutions Limited as the official Treasury Single Account (TSA) collecting agent of the Federal Government revenue in Nigeria.
The opposition party expressed “serious reservations and condemns both actions,” describing the signing of the MoU with DGFP as a reckless act of outsourcing Nigeria’s tax data management to a foreign government.
According to the party, such a pact poses grave threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty, economy, and national security.
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A fire has broken out at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office in Abuja. Emergency responders, including firefighters, have been deployed to the scene to contain the blaze.
The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be confirmed. No official statement has been issued as of the time of filing this report.
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The Police in Ogun State have arrested a suspected armed robber identified as Adenekan Segun, popularly known as Expensive, in the Abeokuta area of the state.
The arrest was announced in a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babeseyi, and made available to DAILY POST on Saturday.
According to the statement, the suspect was arrested following credible information that he allegedly brandished two pump-action firearms during a minor disagreement with a person.
Upon the information operatives of the anti-robbery squad, from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, swung into action leading to his arrest and the recovery of two pump-action rifles.
The statement read: “On Sunday, 14th December 2025, actionable intelligence indicated that the suspect was unlawfully in possession of pump-action firearms.
“He was alleged to have brandished the weapons during a minor disagreement with a person.
“The operatives acted swiftly, which led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of two pump-action rifles.”
The police public relations officer added that investigation is ongoing and on completion, the suspect will be charged to court.
Meanwhile, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
Ogunlowo also assured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to sustaining peace, urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police.
The coalition of Ondo State Magistrates, Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts and Legal Research Officers has announced that it may withdraw its services across the state beginning from January 5, 2026
The announcement was contained in a letter dated December 10 and addressed to the state’s Chief Judge.
The letter made available to reporters on Saturday indicated that the decision followed what the coalition described as the “continued lip service by the State Executive to the issue of financial autonomy for the Judiciary”.
The coalition expressed concerns that the lack of genuine implementation of judicial financial autonomy in the state has severely affected the welfare of judicial officers, dignity of office, operational efficiency and the institutional support required for an effective justice delivery system.
The coalition pointed out that its members have been subjected to persistent denial of several welfare entitlements, including, improved allowances, provision of official vehicles.
DAILY POST reports that the Ondo State government in June this year claimed that it had granted financial autonomy for the judiciary workers.
The government’s claim followed the suspension of the industrial action earlier embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.
Similarly, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, in a separate statement, assured the workers that the state remained committed to the principles of judicial independence and fiscal responsibility.
However, the coalition lamented the government’s inability to implement the promises, stating that the judicial workers are tired of the lip services.
Benin Republic on Saturday placed a former defence minister and prominent opposition politician, Candide Azannai, in pre-trial detention as part of investigations into the failed coup attempt earlier this month.
According to an AFP journalist, Azannai was accused of plotting against the state and incitement to rebellion following his arrest last week at his party’s headquarters in Cotonou.
Azannai’s detention comes in the aftermath of the failed December 7 coup, despite the opposition figure publicly condemning the attempted overthrow.
His remand followed several hours of questioning at Benin’s anti-terrorism court. An AFP reporter said police escorted him away at dawn before taking him into custody.
The detention is the latest development linked to the foiled coup, after about 30 people, mostly soldiers, were jailed on Tuesday on treason charges.
On December 7, soldiers appeared on national television claiming they had toppled President Patrice Talon. However, loyalist forces swiftly crushed the plot with assistance from the Nigerian Air Force.
Several people were reportedly killed during the uprising, while some mutineers, including the alleged coup leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, remain at large.
While Talon has received praise for driving economic growth, critics accuse his administration of creeping authoritarianism in a country once celebrated for democratic stability.
In recent years, Benin has also faced growing jihadist violence in its northern regions.
President Talon is expected to hand over power in April after completing the constitutionally permitted two terms in office.
The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the August 8, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has declared that governance is a serious business that must not be left in the hands of mediocre leaders.
Oyebamiji made this assertion shortly after receiving his Certificate of Return from the leadership of the APC at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Friday.
He said Osun State requires a serious and competent manager to harness its abundant human and material resources and drive sustainable development.
According to the governorship hopeful, the APC is poised to reclaim Osun State in the 2026 governorship election and also secure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
“The business of governance is a serious business. And we have a lot of human assets. We have a lot of material assets in Osun State. We need a serious manager to drive that asset. And that serious manager is Bola Oyebamiji.
“Now that I have the support of the leaders and members of the party to represent APC at the poll, we are going to carry that mandate. Come 2026 and 2027, we are going to deliver Osun for APC at the governorship and presidential elections. We will win massively to return the progressives to the Bola Ige House in 2026 as well as renewing the mandate of Mr President in 2027,” he assured.
The former Commissioner for Finance in Osun State said the collection of his Certificate of Return marks the beginning of a renewed journey to restore the state to the path of progress, inclusive governance, and accelerated development.
He pledged to build on the legacies of progressive leaders who had governed the state in the past, while charting new frontiers of prosperity across key sectors.
“The journey ahead is clear: the work to reclaim Osun is not only a campaign but a calling. Today signifies the beginning of a renewed march to restore our state to the path of progress, inclusive governance, and accelerated development.
“We are committed to building on the legacies of progressives who came before us and charting new frontiers of prosperity from education and healthcare to jobs and security for every resident of Osun. The task is great, but our resolve is greater.”
Calling for unity within the party, Oyebamiji urged APC members and supporters to rally together ahead of the polls.
“Let this moment be a clarion call to every member and supporter of the All Progressives Congress: our collective mission to return Osun to the path of progress has commenced.
“Let us work with unity of purpose, discipline and passion to mobilise our people and win the confidence of every community. Together, we will write a new chapter of hope and transformation for Osun.”
The former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) also commended other aspirants of the party for rallying behind him as the APC consensus candidate, describing their decision as an expression of confidence, faith, and commitment to the party’s ideals.
He further applauded party leaders, elders, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for their unwavering support.
“To my respected co-aspirants, I express sincere appreciation for your spirit of sportsmanship and commitment to our party’s ideals. To the good people of Osun State, I say thank you for your confidence, prayers, and encouragement.”
Oyebamiji also used the occasion to express his heartfelt appreciation to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adebisi Akande, national leaders of the party, members of the APC National Executive Council led by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, the overall leader of the party in Osun State and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the National Secretary of the party, Ajibola Basiru, the APC State Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, as well as leaders and members of the party at both national and state levels, for their unflinching support.
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NIGERIA NEWS
22-years-old Mother Arrested After Selling 2-Month-Old Baby for ₦1.5M and Faking Kidnap
- A 22-year-old woman has been arrested in Delta State for allegedly selling her two-month-old baby for ₦1.5 million and reporting a fake kidnapping.
- Police uncovered the plot after inconsistencies in her account led to a confession, the arrest of the buyers, and the rescue of the child, now in state care.
A 22-year-old woman is currently in police custody in Delta State after she allegedly sold her two-month-old baby for ₦1,500,000 and subsequently staged a kidnapping to cover her tracks.
According to police reports, the woman approached the Ekpan Police Station in Uvwie Local Government Area, claiming she had been violently attacked by unknown gunmen who snatched her infant. However, investigators became suspicious of her inconsistent testimony during the initial debriefing.
The False Report and Confession
The suspect initially alleged that she was intercepted while walking along a local road, where she was “beaten and her baby forcefully taken.” Under intense interrogation by detectives, her story crumbled. She eventually confessed that she had voluntarily sold the child to a couple in a pre-arranged transaction.
Following her confession, she led the police to the residence of the buyers, who were also arrested. It was discovered that the woman had already received a substantial part of the ₦1.5 million payment before filing the false police report.
Police Warning on Child Trafficking
The Delta State Police Command has condemned the act, noting a disturbing rise in cases where biological parents sell their children due to economic hardship or unwanted pregnancies.
The Police Public Relations Officer stated that the suspect will be charged with child trafficking and giving false information to a public officer. The rescued baby is currently in the care of the state welfare department as investigations continue to identify any other intermediaries involved in the sale.
She sold her two-month-old baby for #1,500,000 to a couple and went to the police station in Ekpan and reported that she was attacked and her baby kidnapped. What a life pic.twitter.com/lhwIyVddCA
— SP Bright Edafe (@Brightgoldenboy) December 20, 2025