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Alleged Tax Alteration: It’s Serious Constitutional Breach – CISLAC

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The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria’s chapter of Transparency International, has raised concerns over claims that the Presidency assented to a tax law that is different from the version passed by the National Assembly.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation warned that if the allegation is confirmed, it would represent a serious breach of the Constitution, legislative procedure, and public trust.

CISLAC said Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly set out in the Constitution and cautioned against any changes made after a bill has been passed by parliament.

According to the group, “Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution, stressing that any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.”

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The organisation also pointed out that tax laws have far-reaching effects on citizens and the economy.

It stressed that “taxation has direct implications for citizens, businesses, sub-national governments, and the overall economy.”

CISLAC warned that uncertainty or lack of transparency around tax legislation could damage investor confidence and raise concerns about accountability and possible abuse of executive power.

CISLAC described the situation as especially worrying because of the extensive public consultations that took place before the law was passed.

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It noted that the process involved taxpayers, civil society groups, professional bodies, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts.

According to the organisation, any unilateral changes made outside this process would undermine public trust and violate the principle that citizens should have a voice in how they are taxed.

The group also expressed concern that doubts about the authenticity of the tax law are emerging at a time when a new tax regime is expected to begin.

It warned that introducing a disputed tax framework could worsen the hardship Nigerians already face due to rising cost of living, inflation, reduced purchasing power, and limited access to basic services. CISLAC said such a move could deepen inequality, discourage compliance, and fuel public resentment.

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It stressed that tax reforms must be based on clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity.

It warned that any tax system introduced without transparency, proper communication, and legislative certainty weakens voluntary compliance and damages the social contract between the government and citizens.

As part of its recommendations, the organisation called on the Presidency to immediately publish the exact version of the tax law that was assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow public verification. It also urged the National Assembly to use its oversight powers to confirm whether the assented law truly reflects the will of lawmakers.

CISLAC said any discrepancy found should be treated as unconstitutional and resolved through lawful means, including re-transmitting the correct bill or seeking judicial interpretation.

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It further called for an independent review by relevant institutions, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and, if necessary, the judiciary.

The organisation added that the controversy highlights the need to strengthen safeguards between the legislative and executive arms of government.

It recommended measures such as digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled laws, and more transparent assent procedures.

CISLAC stressed that the issue is not about partisan politics but about protecting Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It warned that allowing one arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent.

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The group urged all parties to act with openness, restraint, and respect for the Constitution, adding that Nigerians deserve laws that reflect due process, the public interest, and the decisions of their elected representatives. CISLAC said it will continue to monitor developments and engage stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.

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ANGER: Three Brothers Face Murder Charge for Beating man to death for dating Their Mom

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Three brothers have appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court in Swaziland on a murder charge following the brutal de@th of their mother’s boyfriend.

The accused, Mlondi Mbuli, 25, Sakhelwe Mbuli, 18, and Lindani Mdziniso, 23, all from the Hholoshini area in Eswatini’s Hhohho Region, are alleged to have fatally assaulted Njabulo Ngwenya on June 28, 2026.

According to police, the brothers att@cked Ngwenya with bricks, stones, sticks, open hands, and kicks to different parts of his body. Investigators allege the assa¥lt was motivated by the brothers’ belief that Ngwenya was having a relationship with their biological mother.

Court records state that the incident was reported after Sibongile Motsa, also from Hholoshini, informed police that she discovered her son, Njabulo Ngwenya, lying deed inside her sister’s house at about 1 a.m. on June 28, 2026.

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The matter came before Principal Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati during the trio’s initial court appearance.

The three defendants have been remanded in custody until July 10, 2026, pending committal of the case to the High Court for further proceedings.

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BREAKING : Court orders final forfeiture of ₦150m kinked to Delta HoR member

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A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of ₦150 million linked to serving House of Representatives member, Nicholas Mutu, to the Federal Government.

The ruling was delivered by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik after the court upheld an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court held that the funds should be permanently forfeited after no convincing explanation was provided to show why the money should not be seized by the government.

The forfeiture followed earlier proceedings in which the court granted an interim order against the funds.

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The court also directed that the order be published in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to challenge the application.

However, after the publication and the expiration of the required period, no sufficient cause was shown before the court to stop the permanent forfeiture.

The EFCC told the court that its investigation linked the money to alleged corrupt dealings involving Mutu during his time as chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission.

According to the anti-graft agency, the lawmaker allegedly received kickbacks running into over ₦400 million from a consultant working with the NDDC.

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The commission argued that part of the funds traced during investigations included the ₦150 million now ordered forfeited.

After reviewing submissions from both parties, Justice Abdulmalik ruled in favour of the EFCC and granted the final forfeiture order.

Mutu, a long-serving federal lawmaker from Delta State, remains a serving member of the House of Representatives.

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Photos: “I Directed Wike To Build Roads Before Asking Nigerians to Move into Renewed Hope Estate, He Has Done It” – Tinubu

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, disclosed that he directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to provide roads and other engineering infrastructure to the 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana before residents could occupy the estate, and the minister wasted no time in carrying out the directive.

The President, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, made the disclosure while commissioning the 10.5-kilometre Access Roads to the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in Karsana West District, Abuja.

 

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He said the completion of the road network fulfilled the directive he gave during the groundbreaking of the housing project, stressing that no housing estate could function without access roads and supporting infrastructure.

“When I performed the groundbreaking for the 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City here in Karsana, I gave one clear directive: provide the roads, provide the engineering infrastructure, and unlock this district for development. Housing without access is a blueprint without a building.

“For too long, Abuja’s story was ‘awarded and abandoned contracts’. Today, we are ending that story with roads that open, not ones that stall,” he said.

Tinubu said he specifically instructed Wike to immediately open up the district because “civil servants, families and investors cannot live in houses they cannot reach.”

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“I gave that assignment to a Minister who treats deadlines as duties. I told the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, CON, that civil servants, families and investors cannot live in houses they cannot reach. ‘Open Karsana, and open it now.’ He took that brief, set the pace and delivered.

“When urgency meets quality, results follow. That is what you are standing on today.”

The President said the newly completed Arterial Roads N11, N16, N40 and Special Important Local Street 03 have linked Karsana West to the Outer Northern Expressway, making thousands of affordable housing units accessible, livable and secure.

He praised Wike for what he described as the visible transformation of the Federal Capital Territory, saying the minister had turned stalled projects into completed infrastructure.

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“You took stalled corridors and made them active corridors. You brought the same urgency to Karsana that you brought to other districts and the area councils. You measure contractors by output, not promises. Minister, you have earned my trust and you have my commendation,” Tinubu added.

He also commended Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, engineers and officials of the FCT Administration for ensuring the project was completed on schedule and according to specification.

The President further praised Lubrik Construction Company for delivering the project after it was awarded the contract in February 2025, assuring contractors that his administration would continue to honour prompt payment for jobs delivered on time and to specification.

Earlier, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Barr. Nyesom Wike recalled that Karsana was inaccessible when Tinubu performed the groundbreaking for the Renewed Hope Estate in 2024.

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“For those of us who were here that day, I was imagining how anybody would come and live in this area because there was no road,” he said.

The minister disclosed that developers had expressed fears that their investments would become worthless without access roads, but he assured them the government would intervene.

“I told them, ‘It is Renewed Hope. Go home and sleep. We must construct the road in this Karsana district.’ Today, it is a different story.”

Wike said the project became possible because the Federal Government ensured prompt payment while the contractor fulfilled its obligation by delivering within schedule.

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He also announced that the FCT Administration would next Wednesday, July 8, flag off the construction of Kaba- Kagini – Zaudna road following recent request by residents over its deplorable condition.

In her remarks, FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as another milestone in the implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the roads would boost economic activities, improve connectivity and expand access to affordable housing across the territory.

While celebrating the successful completion of the access roads, Mahmoud called on residents and stakeholders to take collective ownership of public infrastructure by protecting and preserving it for the benefit of present and future generations.

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