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South-East Lawmakers To Confer with Governors, Constituents Prior to Final Decision on Tax Reform Bills
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Senators from Nigeria’s South-East region have decided to engage in further consultations with their state governments, constituents, and other relevant stakeholders before taking a final stance on the contentious tax reform bills currently under consideration in the National Assembly.
The decision, made under the aegis of the South-East Senators’ Forum, reflects the lawmakers’ desire to ensure that their position on the reform bills aligns with the collective interests and concerns of the people they represent. According to Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, the leader of the caucus, the senators are committed to ensuring that the views of their constituents are considered before any final decisions are made.
Abaribe shared these details during a press briefing on Monday following a closed-door meeting of the South-East Senators at the National Assembly in Abuja. The bills in question—comprising the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill—were submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on October 3, 2024. These pieces of legislation are part of a broader effort to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system, with the goal of enhancing revenue generation and addressing inefficiencies in the country’s tax administration.
However, the proposed reforms have generated significant controversy, with opposition to the bills taking on ethnic and sectional tones. Critics argue that the reforms could disproportionately affect certain regions of the country, leading to fears of economic and social imbalances. In light of these concerns, the Senate established a committee to engage with a federal government delegation, led by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to address the criticisms and clarify the provisions of the bills. Unfortunately, the scheduled meeting of the committee last Thursday was postponed due to Fagbemi’s absence.
Commitment to Wider Consultations
While Senator Abaribe and other South-East lawmakers expressed general support for the tax reforms, they underscored the importance of conducting wider consultations to address the specific concerns of the South-East zone. Abaribe emphasized that although the senators were not opposed to the bills, it was crucial to consult with their constituents across the 15 senatorial districts in the region, as well as with state governments and other key stakeholders.
“We are not against the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly,” Abaribe stated. “However, we believe that broader consultations are necessary to ensure that the bills, when passed, are beneficial and equitable for all Nigerians, including our people in the South-East.”
He further explained that, despite their general support, the South-East senators wanted to ensure that the tax reform framework was equitable and took into account the region’s unique challenges and circumstances. “We have read through the bills, and we are prepared to share our understanding of the reforms with stakeholders in our zone,” he said. “Our objective is to ensure that the final outcome reflects the diverse needs of the country and doesn’t inadvertently marginalize any region.”
Abaribe’s comments underscore the senators’ commitment to making informed decisions that reflect the best interests of their constituents while ensuring that the tax reforms achieve the overarching goal of improving Nigeria’s fiscal health.
Support from Other Regions
The South-East senators’ position on the tax reforms contrasts with the stance taken by senators from the South-South region, who expressed full support for the reforms last Thursday. Senators from the South-South emphasized that, despite the criticisms, the reforms were necessary to strengthen the country’s revenue base and promote long-term economic stability. They also urged Nigerians to avoid making the debate about ethnicity or regional interests, stressing that the focus should be on the national interest.
The South-South senators also cautioned those opposing the reforms to refrain from framing their criticisms in ethnic, regional, or tribal terms. “The tax reform bills are intended to benefit all Nigerians,” they said, “and the opposition should be constructive, not driven by sectional or tribal sentiments.”
Next Steps and Future Outlook
As the debate continues, the South-East senators are expected to consult with various stakeholders, including local government officials, business leaders, and civil society groups, to gauge their opinions on the proposed reforms. The outcome of these consultations will likely influence the senators’ final position when the bills return for further debate in the National Assembly.
In the coming days, as discussions around the bills intensify, the role of the South-East senators will be critical in shaping the final version of the reforms. Their commitment to engaging with their constituents and other stakeholders highlights the importance of ensuring that any major policy changes reflect the interests and needs of the diverse regions of Nigeria.
Ultimately, while the tax reforms hold the potential to address long-standing fiscal challenges in the country, their success will depend on how well they are tailored to accommodate the diverse interests of Nigeria’s varied regions, and whether the necessary consultations are conducted to ensure a fair and balanced outcome for all.
By Ojomah Austin.
…Nigeria no longer a safe corridor for cocaine or any other illicit substance, Marwa warns drug cartels
Barely six months after their arrest by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for importing 31.5 kilograms of cocaine from Marshall Islands into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport in Lagos, 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel marked MV Aruna Hulya have been convicted and fined a total of Six Million US Dollars ($6million) by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The Agency took into custody the Indian crew members and their merchant vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, following the discovery of 31.5 kilograms of cocaine in hatch 3 of the ship by NDLEA operatives at the GDNL terminal, Apapa port Lagos on Friday 2nd January 2026.
The Master of the Vessel, Sharma Shashi Bhushan and 10 other crew members, namely: Bharati Manoj Kumar; Nevage Sandesh Suresh; Pandey Prashant; Nuttu Anand; Akash Babu; Nilesh Mukuno Bhalerad; Melethil Insaf Rahman; Barla Chantanya Krishna; Prabhasukhan Singu; and Jai Parkash were eventually arraigned on two counts charge in suit number
FHC/ L/56C/2026 before Joseph Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
After months before the court, the trial judge on Thursday 11th June 2026 delivered his ruling on plea bargain terms filed by the prosecution and defence in the case. As a result, all 12 defendants were convicted under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act and sentenced to pay the sum of 100,000 Naira each which is the penalty for the offence under the Act. In addition, the 1st defendant, which is the vessel, is to pay restitution to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the sum of Five Million Three Hundred Thousand US dollars ($5,300,000) or its equivalent in Naira.
The three principal officers of the vessel who are the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants, namely: Sharma Shashi Bhushan; Nilesh Mukuno Bhalerad; and Melethil Insaf Rahman are also to pay restitution to the Federal Government in the sum of 100,000 US dollars each, while
other crew members, the 5th to 12th defendants are to pay their restitution in the sum of 50, 000 US dollars each.
Reacting to the landmark judgement, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) noted that the conviction of the vessel and its crew members sends a resounding message to every drug trafficking network in the world that “Nigeria is no longer a safe corridor for cocaine or any other illicit substance.”
According to him, “This judgment is the third of its kind in recent times, following the convictions of foreign nationals and vessels on similar charges. Let it be known that these are not coincidences, they are the direct result of deliberate, intelligence-led operations by our officers who remain vigilant at every port of entry.
“The NDLEA will not relent. Whether you come by air, land, or sea; whether you are a Nigerian or a foreign national, if you attempt to use our waters as a narcotics highway, you will face the full weight of Nigerian law. Our courts have spoken, and we will continue to give them reason to speak. The war against drug trafficking is one we are winning and we intend to keep it that way.”
He commended the officers, men and women of the Apapa Strategic Command of the Agency for their vigilance in identifying the cocaine consignment buried deep within the cargo of a massive commodity vessel. He specifically expressed appreciation to the Agency’s Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services for their diligence in the prosecution of the case.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State allegedly transporting weapons intended for delivery to a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara.
An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday said the suspect was apprehended on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area following actionable intelligence.
According to the report, the suspect was intercepted while moving a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa to Funtua in Katsina State for onward delivery to criminal elements.
“Items recovered from the suspect include three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.”
The report said preliminary investigations linked the consignment to a suspected bandit kingpin believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara.
“The suspect confessed that he was contracted to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.
“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the network behind the arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation,” the report said.
The report described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings and other security threats in the North-West.
It added that the suspect was in DSS custody and would face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.
According to the report, security agencies have continued to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling logistics networks that sustain banditry, terrorism and other forms of organised crime across the country.
(NAN)
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital of medical negligence and an subsequent attempt to cover up the circumstances surrounding her son’s death by taking her pursuit of justice for her late son, Nkanu Nnamdi, to the public.
In a four-part series shared on Instagram, Adichie detailed a devastating sequence of events. According to her, her son suffered a hypoxic brain injury caused by improper sedation administered by an anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare, which ultimately resulted in his death.
Beyond the medical tragedy, Adichie alleges that the hospital has engaged in a pattern of dishonest practices. These include:
Issuing an inaccurate death certificate that falsely attributed the cause of death to meningitis.
Failing to provide complete or accurate medical records to her family.
Employing heartless language in legal correspondence, including referring to her son’s death as a “dispute”.
Stalling and attempting to obstruct a coroner’s inquest, which was originally initiated by the hospital itself. Describing the immense toll this has taken on her.
She said, “I wake up every single morning with my heart racing… The ultimate and utter loneliness of grief is that only you can know the true depth of your despair. I long for, at least, peace to mourn, but Euracare Hospital has robbed me even of that”.
The author also recounted an encounter with a senior figure in the hospital’s ownership who allegedly attempted to discourage her from pursuing legal action by suggesting her reputation could be dragged in the mud during court proceedings. Adichie said this was a manipulative and threatening message.
“An inquest is a public judicial inquiry designed to establish the circumstances surrounding a death,” she stated.
Adichie explained, that it is not a trial or a claim for damages, but simply a search for the truth. By making these details public, she hopes to demand the accountability and transparency that she feels have been denied to her family.
“I have decided to make this letter public because to keep silent about Euracare’s evil is to enable it”. She stated.
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