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A young Saudi prince was found dead in a luxury London hotel after investigators concluded he had consumed a combination of alcohol, GHB and other substances months after undergoing treatment for addiction.

Abdullah bin Fahad bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Jalawi al Saud was discovered dead inside his £600-a-night room at the Marriott Hotel in Kensington, West London, on November 25 last year after consuming alcohol at almost three times the legal drink-drive limit alongside the party drug GHB.

An inquest held at the Inner West London Coroner’s Court heard that the 29-year-old royal had checked into the hotel on November 19 for a planned one-week stay.

CCTV footage presented during the hearing showed him leaving the hotel to smoke a cigarette on the evening before he was found dead.

The court was told that a cleaner later entered his locked fifth-floor room and found him fully dressed on the bathroom floor.

Emergency responders and hotel security were alerted immediately, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Evidence presented at the inquest showed that toxicology tests recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 222mg per 100ml, significantly above the legal drink-drive limit of 80mg and within a level capable of causing a coma.

The report also detected potentially fatal concentrations of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), commonly referred to as a party drug.

Investigators further found traces of cannabis, the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam, widely known as Xanax, at a recreational dose, along with other anti-anxiety drugs at therapeutic levels.

The hearing further established that the prince had been battling alcohol dependence and misuse of Xanax before his death.

Court records showed that he had received inpatient treatment in August last year at the Priory Clinic in Roehampton, south-west London, where residential care can cost up to £35,000 per week.

During his admission, he underwent detoxification from alcohol, benzodiazepines and the anti-anxiety medication Pregabalin.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Victoria Chamorro said he had “engaged well” and the detox had “proceeded without physical side effects.”

(The Independent UK)

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The Bauchi State Police Command has nabbed a 20-year-old woman for allegedly pouring boiling water on her pregnant co-wife, leading to the d3ath of the baby.

The incident occurred on July 17, 2026 in Daba Village, Bauchi Local Government Area during a domestic altercation.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Nafiu Habib, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, July 23, 2026 said the suspect, Rabi Abubakar, was arrested for alleged infanticide and causing grievous hurt.

According to the PPRO, the victim was subsequently rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, for treatment.

Habib said that while receiving treatment and despite sustaining severe burns, the victim gave birth to a baby boy on July 19.

The newborn, who reportedly suffered severe burn injuries, d!ed the same day.

The victim, however, is said to be stable and responding to treatment.

“Operatives of the ‘C’ Division, Tafawa Balewa Estate, Bauchi have arrested one Rabi Abubakar ‘f’ 20-years-old of Daba Village, Bauchi LGA, in connection with an incident of Infanticide and Causing Grievous Hurt,” the statement read.

“In a report received on 22nd July 2026 at about 0800hrs from the Officer In-Charge, Dabe Police Outstation, Soro Division, it was alleged that on 17th July, 2026 at about 0730hrs, the suspect poured boiled water on her 30-years-old co-wife, of the same address, during a domestic altercation.

“Following the incident, the victim was rushed to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi, for medical treatment.

“While on admission, and despite being heavily pregnant at the time of the assault, the victim gave birth to a baby boy on 19th July, 2026.

“Unfortunately, the newborn had severe burn injuries and died on the same day. The victim is currently stable and responding to treatment.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives immediately visited the scene. The suspect was subsequently traced, arrested, and during preliminary interrogation, she voluntarily confessed to the commission of the offence.

“The suspect is currently in custody and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Bauchi for discreet investigation and prosecution.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc (+), condemns the act in strong terms and assures members of the public that the Command will ensure diligent prosecution of the matter.

“He further urges citizens to embrace peaceful resolution of disputes and to report cases of domestic violence to the Police for prompt intervention.”

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The Federal Government has inaugurated an Inter Ministerial Committee to develop the 2026 Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order, a major step towards ensuring the smooth implementation of Nigeria’s new tax laws and providing greater certainty for businesses, investors and tax administrators.

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, inaugurated the Committee on Friday, charging members to deliver a modern and practical VAT framework that reflects the intent of the Tax Reform Acts and responds to the realities of today’s economy.

He described the Tax Reform Acts, which came into effect on 1 January 2026, as the most extensive changes to Nigeria’s tax system in decades, noting that the reforms simplify tax administration, improve certainty, strengthen competitiveness, protect vulnerable Nigerians and create a stronger foundation for sustainable economic growth.

The Minister explained that while the previous VAT Modification Order made under the repealed VAT Act had served its purpose, the new legal framework requires a fresh Order to provide clarity, update relevant schedules and support the effective implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act.

“This is not about reproducing an old document,” Mr. Oyedele said. “It is about developing a VAT Modification Order that is clear, practical and responsive to the needs of a changing economy.”

He stated that the new Order should remove uncertainty, make compliance easier for taxpayers, support investment decisions and provide tax administrators with clearer guidance in implementing the law.

The Minister directed the Committee to undertake a thorough review of the legal framework, administrative practices and policy directives governing VAT administration, particularly the VAT exempt and zero rated provisions contained in Part IV of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, while identifying areas that require further clarification.

He also charged members to engage extensively with stakeholders across government, the organised private sector, professional bodies and other interest groups to validate classifications, address implementation concerns and ensure that the final recommendations are practical and balanced.

Oyedele further instructed the Committee to recommend a comprehensive schedule of VAT exempt and zero rated supplies, taking into account revenue implications, social impact, Nigeria’s treaty obligations and regional integration commitments.

In addition, the Committee is expected to prepare a clear and implementable VAT Modification Order that aligns with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act and, where necessary, recommend amendments to the Tax Reform Acts and other enabling laws to strengthen implementation.

The Minister urged members to ensure that every recommendation remains faithful to both the letter and the spirit of the new tax laws, adding that the Order should encourage industrial growth, support investment, promote exports, strengthen food security, encourage innovation and facilitate Nigeria’s energy transition without compromising the integrity of the VAT system.

He also stressed the need to reduce ambiguity in VAT administration so that taxpayers, investors, regulators and tax administrators can operate with greater confidence and certainty.

Oyedele further encouraged the Committee to draw from international experience while ensuring that the final document reflects Nigeria’s unique economic realities and development priorities.

The Committee has been given six weeks to complete its assignment and submit a Draft VAT Modification Order, schedules of VAT exempt and zero rated supplies with their corresponding Harmonised System Codes, implementation notes, a stakeholder consultation report and recommendations on any legislative amendments considered necessary.

Membership of the Committee comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Joint Revenue Board, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Tax Advisory Committee and the Tax Justice and Governance Platform.

Expressing confidence in the calibre of the Committee, the Minister said the blend of expertise drawn from government and the private sector provides a strong foundation for producing a technically sound and practical instrument that will support the effective administration of VAT under the new tax regime.

“Nigerians cannot wait,” the Minister said. “Businesses need certainty. Investors need confidence. Government needs a VAT system that is easy to administer and supports growth. I urge you to approach this assignment with diligence, objectivity and a sense of urgency.”

He noted that the Committee’s work would shape the administration of one of Nigeria’s most important taxes, improve the ease of doing business, strengthen investor confidence and support the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s fiscal reform agenda.

He formally inaugurated the Inter Ministerial Committee on the 2026 VAT Modification Order and wished members success in the discharge of their national assignment.