NIGERIA NEWS
FG can implement new tax laws despite Reps’ objections – Dandago
An economic expert at Bayero University, Kano, Professor Kabiru Isah Dandago, has said the Federal Government can proceed with the implementation of the newly signed tax reform laws despite objections raised by some members of the House of Representatives.
Professor Dandago in an exclusive interview with DAILYPOST said the tax laws remain valid, noting that protests by lawmakers after the passage and signing of the bills do not invalidate them.
“Despite their protest after the fact, the tax laws still stand,” he said.
Dandago’s remarks come amid ongoing controversy over the implementation of the new tax laws. The controversy began after a lawmaker, Abdussamad Dasuki, alleged discrepancies between the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted and released to the public.
He argued that the gazetted laws did not reflect what lawmakers debated and approved.
Dandago explained that concerns should only arise if any provision of the laws is proven to negatively affect the livelihood of Nigerians.
“It remains unclear what these discrepancies are, where the issue lies is if there is some clause inserted in the law that will affect the livelihood of the masses negatively, but so far, nothing has been brought forth as such,” Dandago said.
The professor added that if members of the House of Representatives are convinced there are serious issues with the laws, they should present clear facts to support a review.
“If the Representatives are serious, then they should get their facts ready so that a review can be done,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has also asked the Federal Government to suspend implementation, citing alleged alterations to the versions of the bills passed by the National Assembly.
The call followed comments by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, who insisted that the January 1, 2026 implementation date for the Nigerian Tax Act and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act remains unchanged.
NIGERIA NEWS
Abubakar Malami Appears In Court, Pleads Not Guilty To Money Laundering Charges (Video)
Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, appeared in court on Tuesday over allegations of money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Naija News reports that Malami appeared along with his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and one other person before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of money laundering.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge brought against them.
Naija News recalls that the EFCC had filed a 16-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, over alleged money laundering and unlawful acquisition of properties valued at over N8.7 billion.
In the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025, the defendants were accused of conspiring to conceal, disguise, retain and indirectly acquire proceeds of unlawful activities through bank accounts, corporate fronts and real estate transactions spanning nearly a decade.
The alleged offences were said to have been committed between 2015 and 2025, largely in Abuja, while Malami was serving as the nation’s chief law officer.
According to the charge filed by the EFCC and signed by a prosecution team led by Chief J.S. Okutepa, SAN, Malami and his son allegedly used Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of N1.014 billion kept in a Sterling Bank account between July 2022 and June 2025.
The commission further alleged that another N600.01 million was concealed in the same account between September 2020 and February 2021.
The EFCC also accused the defendants of retaining N600 million as cash collateral for a N500 million loan granted by Sterling Bank Plc to Rayhaan Hotels Ltd, despite allegedly knowing that the funds represented proceeds of unlawful activity.
In another count, the anti-graft agency alleged that between November 2022 and October 2025, the defendants indirectly took control of N1.36 billion paid through the Union Bank account of Meethaq Hotels Ltd, which they allegedly knew to be illicit funds.
The EFCC claimed that the alleged actions violate the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The anti-graft agency has listed a range of witnesses, including investigators, bank officials, bureau de change operators, and company representatives, to support its case.
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Enlightenment to the Governor of Ondo State, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, has described the newly signed ₦524 billion 2026 budget as a critical and strategic step towards economic advancement and improved welfare for residents of the state.
In a statement on Wednesday, Lawson reacted to the signing into law of the 2026 Appropriation Bill by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, noting that the budget, tagged “Budget of Economic Consolidation,” reflects the administration’s firm commitment to sustaining growth, stability and inclusive development across Ondo State.
According to him, the size and focus of the ₦524 billion budget demonstrate the resolve of the Aiyedatiwa-led administration to consolidate ongoing reforms and developmental gains while laying a stronger foundation for long-term economic prosperity.
Lawson said the 2026 budget deliberately prioritises key sectors that directly impact citizens’ lives, including infrastructure development, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture and human capital development.
He explained that increased investment in infrastructure would further open up the state for business and industrial activities, while improved funding for education and healthcare would enhance human capacity and social wellbeing.
The SSA added that the agricultural component of the budget would strengthen food security, empower farmers and create employment opportunities for youths, while sustained attention to human capital development would ensure that Ondo State remains competitive in a rapidly evolving national and global economy.
Linking the appropriation to the administration’s policy direction, Lawson said the 2026 budget is a continuation of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s vision and governance philosophy.
According to him, the budget aligns clearly with the administration’s agenda, which focuses on Opportunity, Unity, Responsibility, Economic Development, Security and Education, all aimed at improving the quality of life of residents across the state.
Lawson reaffirmed the determination of the Aiyedatiwa administration to pursue the Our Ease Agenda with renewed vigour, stressing that the 2026 budget is not merely a fiscal document but a people-centred roadmap designed to uplift communities, stimulate economic activities and enhance the overall wellbeing of Ondo State citizens.
He called on all stakeholders, including public servants, lawmakers, private sector players and the general public, to support the effective implementation of the budget to ensure that its objectives are fully realised for the benefit of the people of Ondo State.
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Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris, has continued to strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers, recognising them as critical partners in the drive for sustainable socio-economic development across the state.
In a move aimed at deepening inclusive governance, the governor established a Traditional Rulers Consultative Forum to provide advisory and supervisory support for his administration’s infrastructural projects and the implementation of key socio-economic programmes.
A statement issued by Abdullahi Idris, Sadaukin Zuru, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the Governor, said traditional rulers have been assigned specific responsibilities, including the review of development projects, impact assessment, and supervision to ensure strict compliance with specifications and standards.
According to the statement, the active involvement of traditional rulers has contributed significantly to the successes recorded by the administration across various sectors of development.
In appreciation of their continued support and commitment, Governor Idris approved the provision of state-of-the-art official vehicles for the Emirs of Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru. He also sanctioned comprehensive overhauls of several palaces, including redesigns and facelifts, with funds released directly to the Emirs to enable prompt payment to contractors.
The cordial relationship between the governor and traditional institutions has drawn commendation from other royal fathers, particularly from the northern axis, who have described the partnership as a model for effective grassroots governance.
The statement noted that the successful hosting of the 2024 National Annual Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Kebbi State further demonstrated Governor Idris’ commitment to promoting Islamic values and strengthening traditional institutions.
More recently, the governor invited the Northern Traditional Rulers Council to Kebbi State for a high-level conference focused on addressing the challenge of armed banditry in the sub-region, underscoring his proactive approach to security and regional cooperation.
Governor Idris’ efforts have earned him several prestigious traditional titles, including Gwarzon Daular Usmaniya, Kauran Nupe, Kauran Kanem Borno, Kauran Gwandu, Jigon Kabi, Gamjin Yauri, and Garkuwan Zuru.
These honours, the statement added, reflect his selfless service to education, philanthropy, and community development, and further position him as a symbol of exemplary leadership and commitment to the people of Kebbi State.
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The Gargari Ward Executive Committee of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State has expelled the party’s State Chairman, Hashimu Sulaiman Dungurawa, over allegations of poor leadership, insubordination, and actions said to have triggered persistent internal crises.
Dungurawa, who hails from Gargari Ward, was expelled following a second resolution meeting of the ward executives convened to address what members described as repeated complaints against his leadership style and conduct as state chairman.
Speaking after the meeting, the Chairman of NNPP Gargari Ward, Shu’aibu Hassan, said the decision was unanimously taken in the interest of protecting party unity, discipline, and internal democracy.
According to the ward executives, Dungurawa failed to provide the inclusive, consultative, and responsible leadership expected of someone occupying such a strategic position within the party.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the executives accused the NNPP chairman of arbitrarily expelling and suspending loyal and active party members, a move they said weakened the party’s grassroots structure and created fear, resentment, and disaffection among members.
They also alleged that Dungurawa exhibited insubordination to the Executive Governor of Kano State, an action they described as detrimental to party cohesion and harmful to the relationship between the NNPP and the state government.
The ward leaders further claimed that his actions contributed to factionalisation within the party, deepening internal wrangling and eroding public confidence in the NNPP across the state.
“This decision was taken in the best interest of the NNPP. Continuous crises, disregard for party hierarchy, and the unjust expulsion of committed members have severely weakened the party structure,” the communiqué stated.
The ward executive committee stressed that the expulsion takes immediate effect, adding that Dungurawa no longer has the right to identify himself as a member of the NNPP or represent the party at any level.
They said the resolutions reached at the meeting have been formally documented and forwarded to the appropriate party authorities at the local government, state, and national levels for further action in line with the NNPP constitution.
The Gargari Ward executives reaffirmed their loyalty to the NNPP and pledged continued support for the administration of the Kano State Governor, stressing that unity, discipline, and respect for party rules remain critical to the party’s stability and political future.
As of the time of filing this report, Hashimu Sulaiman Dungurawa had not issued any official response to the expulsion or the allegations against him.
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Fire incident, on Monday, razed some shops attached to Sango Divisional Police station.
No fever than eight shops were ravaged by the inferno, which destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
Chairman, Oyo State Fire Service, Hon Maroof Akinwande confirmed the development.
Akinwande in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Monday said that no life was lost in the incident.
He added that the operation was carried in conjunction with men of Federal Fire Service.
He said “Upon arrival, we met eight (8) out of eighty four (84) shops engulfed by fire.
“Firemen promptly launched a coordinated attack on the blaze and restricted the fire from spreading to other shops.
“The firefighting operation was jointly carried with the officers from Federal Fire Service, Ibadan Command”.
The former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has cited an experience from his time as a serving governor to underline what he described as his problem-solving and leadership qualities.
Naija News reports that Obi made the disclosure on Monday during a Space chat on 𝕏 with his supporters, popularly known as the Obidients.
Recounting the incident, Obi said the episode occurred during a flight on British Airways several years ago.
“We were coming back on British Airways years back; I was a serving governor. The entire toilet was messed up. She opened that toilet to use it; it was messed up and she walked away,” he said.
According to him, rather than ignore the situation, he decided to clean the toilet himself after the previous user walked away.
‘I Cleaned It Because I Might Use It Again’
Obi said his action surprised a member of staff who later discovered the toilet had been cleaned.
“I went in there, and she came back. The entire place was cleaned. She didn’t even tell me, but she told a minister and somebody else where she works in the office,” he said.
Quoting the woman, Obi added, “She said, ‘I can’t believe this’.”
He explained that his reason for cleaning the toilet was simple and practical.
“The people called me; I said I cleaned it because maybe I would be the next person that would go back there to use it,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra governor used the story to urge Nigerians to take responsibility when they encounter things that are wrong, instead of looking the other way.
“When you see things that are wrong, clean them. I don’t have house help in my house; everybody knows that. Let us stop all this fake life,” he said.
However, British Airways had yet to react to Obi’s claim as of the time of filing this report.
- Residents of Bagudo in Kebbi State were thrown into panic after an early-morning explosion rocked the General Hospital on December 30.
- Although the blast caused damage to a building within the hospital’s staff quarters, the Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that no lives were lost, as occupants had evacuated beforehand
Fear gripped the residents of Bagudo, Kebbi State, early Tuesday morning following a powerful explosion at the General Hospital. While the blast caused significant structural damage, the Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed that no lives were lost.
The explosion, which occurred in the early hours of December 30, triggered an immediate joint operation involving police officers, soldiers, and vigilante operatives.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed that a building within the hospital’s staff quarters was damaged, but a timely evacuation prevented a tragedy.
“Although one of the buildings within the hospital’s staff quarters sustained damage, all occupants had evacuated before the explosion, resulting in no casualties.”
Experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD-CBRN) unit have been deployed to the scene to determine the nature and source of the blast. SP Usman assured the community that the situation is currently under control.
The Commissioner of Police has urged the public to avoid the area while investigators work.
“Operatives swiftly took control of the area to forestall any further danger… [We] appeal to members of the public to remain calm and keep away from the hospital surroundings.”
The incident remains under close watch as authorities work to determine if the explosion was accidental or a deliberate act of sabotage.
NIGERIA NEWS
“Happy, Unburdened and Free”- Shock and Grief as LazyWrita’s Final Instagram Post Confirms His Death
- The Nigerian social media community has been thrown into mourning following the death of popular influencer and writer Anderson Damisa, known as LazyWrita.
- News of his passing emerged through a scheduled Instagram post in which he expressed emotional exhaustion, reflected on his life, and said goodbye to loved ones.
- Tributes have since poured in from fans, colleagues, and fellow creatives, many expressing shock, grief, and regret that help did not reach him in time.
The Nigerian social media community is in deep mourning following the death of popular influencer and writer Anderson Damisa, widely known as LazyWrita.
The news of his passing broke through a chilling scheduled post on his Instagram page, where he explicitly stated his intention to end his life, citing mental exhaustion and a lack of energy to continue.
In the lengthy and emotional post, Anderson addressed his loved ones and followers, asking them not to grieve but to celebrate the adventurous life he lived. He revealed that he had already deleted his other social media accounts, leaving only a final message to prevent “false narratives.”
“Don’t cry for me please o… I lived a full and adventurous life… I just don’t have the energy to continue anymore. Now, I am Happy, Unburdened and FREEEEEE !!! The only things i regret is not watching the new episodes of Stranger Things and not getting married to the LOML when I had a chance… Please don’t cry and don’t shoulder any blame regardless of everything we went through.”
Anderson used his final moments to express deep love for his family and a former partner. He encouraged his “Love of My Life” (LOML) to move forward and find happiness.
“Through my happiest and saddest days, You were the best thing that ever happened to me. I want you to LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH, MAKE BABIES and be HAPPY!… I love you Nene, Mary, Israel, Wadi, Roy, I would choose you all to be my family over and over and over and over again. You made this journey of life better.”
The post has triggered a wave of shock across the Nigerian digital space. Influencers, colleagues, and fans have flooded his comment section, many expressing regret that they were unable to reach out in time.
The Police Command in Kebbi has confirmed an early morning explosion at the General Hospital, Bagudo, Bagudo Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.
This is contained in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi by the command’s spokesman, Bashir Usman, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Mr Usman said, “We want to assure all residents of the area of full control over the security situation following a loud explosion at the General Hospital, Bagudo, in the early hours of Tuesday, Dec. 30.
“A joint security team of police, military, and vigilante personnel has swiftly cordoned off and secured the affected area. Specialist EOD-CBRN teams are on-site conducting a thorough assessment.
“We are grateful to confirm that there are no casualties. While a building in the staff quarters was damaged, the occupants had already evacuated safely.
“The Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state had reinforced the area with additional tactical deployments to maintain public order.”
The police spokesman added that the CP assured the general public that a comprehensive investigation was ongoing.
“We urge the public to remain calm and avoid the immediate vicinity to support the ongoing security and investigative operations. Further updates will be provided as necessary,” he said.
(NAN)
Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka
Culture has been described as one of the keys to economic growth in an economy.
The Director-General (DG) of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, spoke extensively on the importance of showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural and creative assets to drive sustainable tourism growth and the economy.
Speaking at the 19th edition of Culturati, Nigeria’s flagship culture and arts festival, Dr. Awakan emphasized that platforms like Culturati should be strengthened and exported as tourism products to attract visitors, investment, and global attention.
The festival, held at the Oriental Waterfront, Lekki, Lagos, attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, creatives, and tourism stakeholders, demonstrating the growing intersection between culture and destination development.
Dr. Awakan recalled his personal creative journey on the same stage, saying, “This is proof of how powerful cultural platforms can be, not just for art, but for tourism and nation branding.”
He commended the convener of Culturati, Mr. Idris Aregbe, for sustaining the festival and positioning it as a global-facing cultural product.
Cultural festivals like Culturati promote cultural tourism, preserve heritage, stimulate local economies, and create sustainable livelihoods for creatives, while reinforcing Nigeria’s image as a vibrant and diverse destination.
The festival featured colourful performances, fashion, music, and storytelling that celebrated Nigeria’s cultural identity, with dignitaries including the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, in attendance.
The event reinforced Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s cultural and tourism capital, highlighting the power of culture as a compelling tourism draw.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, critical stakeholders of the All Democratic Congress (ADC) have called for the zoning of the House of Representatives ticket for Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo Federal Constituency to Okpokwu Local Government Area.
The call was made during a crucial stakeholders’ meeting attended by all ward chairmen, the party secretary from Edumoga District, and women and youth leaders across the wards in Eke, Edumoga district on Monday.
The stakeholders emphasized that the three local government areas have collectively completed eight years in the position, and for equity, the ticket should now return to Okpokwu.
“The principle of equity demands that Okpokwu produces the next representative for the federal constituency. For too long, the rotation has favoured other areas, and it is now time to ensure fairness and balance.
“This is not just a demand from Okpokwu; it is a call for justice for all three local government areas, Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo.
“Respecting this agelong arrangement will strengthen unity within the constituency, foster mutual trust among the people and uphold the democratic principles that should guide our party,” said Hon. Christian Abba, an elder from Edumoga.
Mr. Michael Ogwuche, Chairman of the ADC Ward Chairmen Forum, urged other aspirants from outside Okpokwu to step down to allow the zoning arrangement to stand. “We must respect the zoning agreement in Enone to maintain unity within our party and strengthen our chances in the 2027 elections.
“Ignoring this principle could create divisions, weaken our collective strength, and undermine the confidence of our supporters across the constituency. By honouring the rotation and ensuring that Okpokwu produces the next representative, we are not only upholding fairness but also sending a clear message that the ADC is committed to internal democracy, inclusiveness, and the principles of justice that our people expect from us,” he stated.
Hon. Clatus Ejembi and Ogwuche Ejembi also reaffirmed the call, stressing that adherence to zoning will ensure fairness and promote internal democracy within the ADC.
The well-attended meeting underscores strong support for Okpokwu producing the next House of Representatives member, sending a clear message to aspirants and party leaders ahead of the 2027 polls.
NIGERIA NEWS
Lady Questions Pastor Chris Okafor’s Members’ Reaction After He Addressed Allegations on Pulpit
- A lady has pointed out what she noticed as popular Nigerian clergyman Chris Okafor addressed allegations surrounding him
- In his recent Sunday service on December 28, 2025, the preacher spoke about how his past marriage affected his life and career
- Following that, Pastor Okafor knelt to apologise to actress Doris Ogala, who had accused him of dumping her after their relationship
A lady shared what she noticed as Chris Okafor, senior pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, opened up about current allegations against him.
During a Sunday service on December 28, 2025, Pastor Okafor addressed allegations involving his relationship with actress Doris Ogala.
Lady Questions Pastor Chris Okafor’s Members’ Reaction After He Addressed Allegations on Pulpit
Source: UGC
In an emotional moment during the service, he knelt to apologise to her, after which his members celebrated him
Lady shares observations about Pst Chris Okafors’ members
On her X page, @peaceigho questioned the pastor’s members for clapping after he apologised.
Read also
Lady who went to Chris Okafor’s church vows never to step foot there again after unusual experience
She said in her X post:
“Your pastor is apologizing for sleeping with a married woman and you are clapping for him??”
She added in the comments:
“Pastor Chris Okafor church. I no know wetin dey worry them. He no suppose get members again after everything.”
See the X post below:
Reactions trail lady’s observation about Chris Okafor’s members
@Op_lanre
“Judge not my anointed” na wetin them dey use enter us be that
@thee_daniels
But guess what, his members will still go hard for him. Mind you majority of them on here were part of the people that criticized aunty esther for sticking by her doctrine This is what religion has turned us to
@iam_ayodamola10
Imagine. They are applauding someone that is preaching against sin everytime for apologizing to that. No way, not in this country Even if he does something worse than that, dem go still applaud am whenever he apologize.
Read also
“20 times at night”: Rare clip shows Pastor Chris Okafor disclosing what newlywed wife did
@akuchinyelunwa
He had to apologize seeing that the woman have plenty things to bring him down. It’s not over yet. Ewwww. I think the real case is about to start. It’s best for him to step down at this point
@TRUTHZORD
Should they Lynch him and burn him? It seems you don’t know what an apology is peace, if someone acknowledges that they have done a wrong and apologizes it’s a good thing. Nobody is a saint, including you, best we can do is agree it’s a step in the right direction.
@AdetayoJOseph4
He did not own up. He was not sorry. He said mistakes were made. Mistakes were not made. Oga you slept with a married woman and promised her marriage and he did this over a couple of years. And to think a supposed man of God can do this is disturbing.
Lady Questions Pastor Chris Okafor’s Members’ Reaction After He Addressed Allegations on Pulpit
Source: Instagram
Man criticises Pastor Chris Okafor’s apology
Read also
Man shares observations about Chris Okafor’s daughter’s body language while addressing allegations
In a related story, a Nigerian man has shared his opinion after watching a clip of Pastor Chris Okafor apologising to his church members.
Chris Okafor was called out by actress Doris Ogala, who lamented that the pastor had an affair with her for years and left her to marry someone else.
Reacting to Chris’s apology video, the X user stated that his apology didn’t seem genuine, but was a desperate attempt to guilt-trip his church members.
Source: Legit.ng
Inside Nigeria’s Senate, grief, rage and fear are driving a hard choice, as lawmakers confront a chilling question from the Justice Sector and Rights groups wondering whether hanging kidnappers will save the nation, or haunt it. Sunday Aborisade reports.
The mood inside the National Assembly penultimate week was unmistakably grim. Outside the chamber, Nigeria reeled from yet another week of abductions, schoolchildren snatched from classrooms, farmers dragged from fields, commuters kidnapped on highways turned into killing grounds. Inside, senators gathered under the weight of public anger, searching for an answer bold enough to reassure a frightened nation.
What emerged was one of the most controversial legislative pushes in recent history: a proposal to impose the death penalty for kidnapping by classifying it as terrorism. To many lawmakers, it felt like the ultimate show of resolve. To Nigeria’s justice establishment, it felt like a fatal mistake.
As the Senate Joint Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; National Security and Intelligence; and Interior convened a public hearing on amendments to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, something rare occurred.
Almost every major justice, legal and human rights institution in the country lined up on one side of the argument, and it was not the Senate’s.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Nigerian Bar Association, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, the Federation of Women Lawyers, the Department of State Services and other stakeholders spoke with one voice: the death penalty will not stop kidnapping.
Their opposition was not rooted in sympathy for criminals. It was anchored in law, experience and an uncomfortable reading of Nigeria’s own history.
No one disputed the scale of the crisis. Kidnapping has metastasised into a lucrative, organised and militarised enterprise. Ransoms now routinely run into tens or hundreds of millions of naira.
Victims are sometimes killed even after payment. Communities are abandoned. Schools are shut. Agriculture is disrupted. Families are bankrupt. Fear has become a constant companion of daily life.
It was this national trauma that shaped the Senate’s earlier debate at plenary, where lawmakers overwhelmingly backed a bill sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator OpeyemiBamidele.
The proposed amendment seeks to designate kidnapping, hostage-taking and related offences as acts of terrorism, extending capital punishment not only to kidnappers but also to their financiers, informants, harbourers, transporters and logistics suppliers.
Presiding over that session, Senate President, GodswillAkpabio described kidnapping as an existential threat.
Support came from across party lines. Senator Adams Oshiomhole dismissed deradicalisationprogrammes as failures and argued that death was the only language terrorists understood.
Senator Orji UzorKalu spoke of widows and violated girls, insisting Nigerians had suffered enough. Senator Victor Umeh demanded scrutiny of banks and institutions allegedly facilitating ransom payments.
Minority Leader, Abba Moro declared that the Senate could no longer allow the country to be terrorised. It was, politically, an easy moment to be tough.
Unfortunately the public hearing that followed the lawmakers debate told a more complicated story.
Leading the resistance was the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). His intervention cut through the emotional fog. While acknowledging the Senate’s concern and the gravity of kidnapping, he warned that mandatory capital punishment could backfire spectacularly.
Fagbemi said, “Though emotionally appealing, the death penalty risks creating what may be described as a ‘martyrdom effect’.”
In terror-related or ideological conflicts, he noted that state-sanctioned executions can validate criminal narratives, fuel recruitment and provoke cycles of retaliatory violence. Far from deterring crime, they can entrench it.
More troubling, Fagbemi warned, were the international consequences. Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts rely heavily on cooperation with foreign governments like intelligence sharing, financial tracking and extradition of suspects.
Many of those countries, he explained, had abolished the death penalty and will not extradite individuals to face execution.
“This could unintentionally turn other countries into safe havens for terror suspects and financiers,” the AGF cautioned, “thereby weakening, rather than strengthening, Nigeria’s security architecture.”
He reminded lawmakers of another inconvenient reality: Nigeria rarely carries out executions.
Though death sentences remain on the statute books, a de facto moratorium has existed for years. The result is a swelling population of death-row inmates, overcrowded correctional facilities, prolonged incarceration and prisons that risk becoming incubators for further radicalisation.
Fagbemi argued: “Our problem is not that punishments are not severe enough. It is that arrests are uncertain, investigations are weak and prosecutions are slow.”
His prescription was blunt: certainty of arrest and conviction, backed by life imprisonment without parole for the most heinous offences.
The National Human Rights Commission reinforced this argument with constitutional force.
While recognising the Senate’s intention to curb violent crime, the Commission warned that expanding capital punishment within a criminal justice system still plagued by investigative failures and prosecutorial gaps significantly increases the risk of irreversible miscarriages of justice.
Any law, the NHRC insisted, must enhance, not diminish, the enjoyment of human rights and comply with Nigeria’s constitutional safeguards and international obligations.
It called for a mandatory human rights impact assessment of the Bill before passage, stressing that once an execution is carried out, there is no remedy for error.
The Nigerian Bar Association took a scalpel to the proposal. Its concern was not only punishment but precision.
Kidnapping, the NBA argued, is not automatically terrorism. A blanket classification risks distorting both criminal law and international legal standards.
The association recommended that only kidnapping involving organised criminal or terrorist networks, or acts intended to intimidate the public or coerce government, should fall within terrorism legislation.
It urged lawmakers to abandon mandatory death sentences in favour of graduated, discretionary sentencing that reflects intent, role, harm and outcome.
Judicial discretion, the NBA said, is not weakness; it is justice. Penalties could range from lengthy imprisonment to life sentences, with death, if retained at all, reserved for the most extreme and aggravated circumstances.
The NBA also warned of technical pitfalls: vague definitions of intent, unclear accomplice liability, absence of defences such as duress, and conflicts with existing state anti-kidnapping laws.
In its view, a poorly drafted federal amendment could create confusion rather than clarity.
Within the hearing room, even some senators acknowledged the complexity.
Senator Ekong Sampson argued that criminal law must differentiate between attempted kidnapping, cases where victims are released unharmed and those ending in death. Lumping all scenarios together, he suggested, risks injustice.
An international perspective came from Prof. UchennaEmelonye, former United Nations Human Rights Envoy and Professor of Human Rights Law at Bournemouth University. He described the convergence of opposition as extraordinary.
Emelonye said, “What we are seeing here is not ideological posturing but empirical reality.”
Global evidence, he argued, shows that expanding the death penalty does not stop kidnapping.
Countries that have succeeded, he argued, did so through intelligence-led policing, effective investigations, speedy trials, border control, arms regulation and victim-centred justice.
Broadening capital punishment in a fragile system, he warned, invites wrongful convictions without delivering measurable security gains.
By the end of the hearing, the Senate committees promised to study all submissions carefully.
Yet, the dilemma facing lawmakers remains stark.
Every day, new kidnappings inflame public anger. Every murdered victim strengthens the demand for ultimate punishment.
For politicians, the gallows offer the appearance of decisiveness. But history suggests that laws born of rage rarely produce safety.
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. One path offers swift, symbolic retribution that satisfies outrage but risks injustice, diplomatic isolation and deeper insecurity.
The other demands the slower, harder work of reforming policing, intelligence, prosecution and prisons.
As the Senate weighs its final report, the question lingers, heavy and unresolved: will Nigeria choose the comfort of vengeance, or the discipline of justice?
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has dismissed the portrayal of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, as the “national leader” of the party, describing the nomenclature as reckless, misleading and alien to the PDP Constitution.
The party said no provision in its constitution creates or recognises the office or position of a “national leader,” challenging those promoting the claim to point to any constitutional backing for such a title.
Addressing journalists in Bauchi, the publicity secretary of the PDP in Bauchi State, Dayyabu Chiroma, said the party remains a constitutionally governed political organisation with clearly defined organs and leadership structures, stressing that authority within the party cannot be acquired through self-ascribed titles or political propaganda.
Chiroma further stated that Wike and individuals acting alongside him are no longer members of the PDP, having been expelled by the party’s National Convention, and therefore lack the moral, political or legal standing to influence or determine the internal affairs and direction of the party.
He accused the group of pursuing a narrow and self-serving agenda, noting that their demand that the PDP should refrain from fielding a presidential candidate in the forthcoming general election, despite the office being zoned to the Southern part of the country, clearly exposes their ulterior motives and hostility to the survival of the party.
Chiroma reaffirmed that the core objective of the party, as a truly national platform, is to sponsor candidates for all elective offices across Nigeria in line with its constitution, democratic principles and the aspirations of the Nigerian people.
He warned that any proposition contrary to this fundamental objective amounts to anti-party activity and constitutes a direct attack on the integrity, unity and future of the PDP.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in court today, December 30.
Malami, who served as Justice Minister for eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, will face trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
His plea is expected to be taken by Justice Emeka Nwite on 16-count charges, including money laundering and other related offences.
EFCC operatives have reportedly taken over security at the court premises to prevent any disruption to the proceedings.
Malami has been in EFCC custody for nearly a month as part of investigations into alleged money laundering and corruption during his tenure as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, including suspicions of mismanagement of government funds and other financial irregularities.