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Tinubu to declare House retreat open Tuesday
Tinubu to declare House retreat open Tuesday
…as Reps engage NNPC, CBN, FIRS, others on PIA, tax reforms
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives will on Tuesday commence a two-day retreat for members on Tinubu to declare House retreat open Tuesday economic laws, policies, and programmes of the Federal Government, especially under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The retreat has been themed: ‘Economic Transformation & Development: Towards Effective Implementation of the Petroleum Industry Reform Act (2021) and Tax Reforms / Modernisation. The sub-theme is ‘Navigating Change: Legislative Strategies for Economic Transformation.’
President Tinubu is expected to declare the retreat open at the Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers), while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, CON, will serve as the host the event.
With the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, as the chief host, President of the Senate, Sen. Godwill Obot Akpabio, CON; Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin; and Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, would speak at the event.
Apart from Wike, those expected to deliver goodwill messages at the opening ceremony are the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari, OFR; Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, FCA; Clerk to the House of Representatives, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, Esq.; and Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Marija Peran.
The panellists and discussants will include Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Oil & Gas, Hon. Heineken Lokpobiri; Governor of the Central Bank (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso; Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.
The retreat was designed to achieve the following objectives: “Understand the Petroleum Industry Act: Delve into the contents, purposes, and expected outcomes of the PIA, emphasising its significance in transforming the oil and gas sector.
“Legislative Oversight and Implementation: Explore the legislative role in overseeing the implementation of the Act, ensuring its provisions are actualised effectively and align with national interests.
“Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Identify opportunities for collaboration between the parliament, the executive, industry stakeholders, and communities to foster a conducive environment for the Act’s successful implementation.
“Policy and Regulatory Framework: Discuss the development of subsidiary legislation and regulatory frameworks essential for operationalising the Act, including addressing gaps or challenges.
“Drive Tax Reforms: Specifically focus on the parliament’s role in conceptualising, initiating, and implementing tax reforms that are equitable, efficient, and conducive to economic growth.
“Foster Collaboration: Create a platform for dialogue among members, experts, and stakeholders, fostering collaborative efforts towards economic and fiscal reforms.
“Promote Accountability: Emphasise the importance of transparency, accountability, and effective oversight in public financial management and tax administration.
The expected outcome of the retreat include enhanced understanding of the Petroleum Industry Act among members of the Nigeria House of Representatives, a clear roadmap for legislative and oversight roles in implementing the PIA, strengthened collaboration between the parliament, the executive, and other stakeholders in the petroleum sector.
Others are, recommendations for policy adjustments, capacity building, and regulatory frameworks to support the effective implementation of the Act, and deeper insights and knowledge that inform the drafting and passage of legislation supporting economic development and tax reforms.
The retreat would also cause improved capacity for effective oversight of government’s economic policies and public financial practices, ensuring alignment with national development goals.
An Ikeja Special Offences Court has scheduled May 4, 2026, to deliver its ruling on whether an extra-judicial statement made by co-defendant Henry Omoile will be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial involving former Godwin Emefiele.
The statement in question was allegedly made by Omoile, who is standing trial alongside Emefiele. Presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, fixed the date after both the prosecution and defence teams adopted their final written addresses during a trial-within-trial session.
The hearing is focused on determining whether Omoile’s statement was given voluntarily and is therefore admissible in court.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt practices, and abuse of office, involving transactions estimated at $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Omoile, meanwhile, is standing trial on a three-count charge relating to alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts connected to dealings with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Counsel to Omoile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Kotoye, argued that the statement should be rejected on the grounds that it was not voluntarily made. He cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stressing the importance of video-recorded interrogations to ensure transparency.
The defence also raised concerns over possible coercion, inducement, and lack of proper legal representation during the recording of the statement.
Similarly, counsel to Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), urged the court to discountenance the statement, arguing under the Evidence Act that any involuntary confession is inadmissible.
However, Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), maintained that the statement was properly obtained in line with legal procedures, adding that although it was not video-recorded, it was made in the presence of Omoile’s lawyer.
He further argued that the contents of the statement do not support claims of coercion, noting that Omoile did not implicate Emefiele and denied the allegations against himself.
After hearing all submissions, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter for ruling on May 4, 2026, while also fixing June 26 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of the substantive trial.
Nine kingmakers of Ijebu-Ode have been re-invited by the Ogun State Police Command to appear at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, next Monday and Tuesday over fresh allegations of bribery and financial inducement in the selection of the new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
The development marks the second time the kingmakers are being summoned by the police on the matter.
Recall that the Ogun State Government, in January 2026, suspended the selection process through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat.
The suspension followed petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.
The kingmakers were first invited by the Ogun State Police Command in February over similar accusations of cash inducement. However, the probe was later dropped following the intervention of superior authorities.
In the latest development, the nine kingmakers have been re-invited through a letter dated April 17, 2026, signed by Gbenga Adeoye, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
One of the kingmakers, the Kakanfo of Ijebuland, Chief Abimbola Okenla, confirmed the invitation.
He disclosed that four of them are expected to appear on Monday, April 21, 2026, while the remaining five are scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2026.
Chief Okenla described the repeated invitations as a distraction, insisting that the allegations are unfounded.
“It’s true that the Ogun State Police Command has invited the kingmakers to the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
Four of us are to be there on Monday while the remaining five will be there on Tuesday,” he said.
“None of us is happy with this frequent invitation by the security agencies over unfounded allegations. The people of Ijebuland are equally not happy about it because it is becoming more of a distraction.”
The Kakanfo appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to conclude the selection process without further delay.
“We are only pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to do their job and complete the assignment of picking the next Awujale of Ijebuland without any further delay,” he added.
Parts of the police invitation letter read:
“In continuation of the aforementioned case under investigation, you are kindly requested to report at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on [Monday/Tuesday] April 21/22, 2026 at 1000hrs for an interview with the Commissioner of Police, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department.
“This is a fact-finding invitation pursuant to the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4(a) of the Police Act 2020.
“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of criminal justice delivery and fairness. Should you require any clarification, kindly contact 08038455857. Please take note that you are at liberty to come along with your lawyer.”
Nigerian-American singer, David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido has commended Nigerian businessman Aliko Mohammed Dangote for his style of living.
According to him, the owner of Dangote cement is a different kind of billionaire.
He said unlike other billionaires who always buy luxury cars and show off, Mr. Aliko buys two cars every 8 years.
Speaking in an interview, Davido stated that the businessman always tells him to save his money.
“Uncle Aliko is a different kind of a billionaire, Uncle Aliko buys like two cars every 8 years. He is different ” Davido said.
“Anytime he sees me he just says one thing, save your money. There is nothing more he tells me than save your money.” He added.
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