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House softens stance on Tax Reform Bills

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The House of Representatives has softened its stance on the Tax Reform Bills.

Yesterday, after a three-hour generally positive debate by members, the Bills scaled second reading and passed for public hearing.

This is unlike the situation when the Bills were sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Green Chamber in October.

Following opposition from a section of the ruling class, the House exploded in uproar over the Bills, forcing Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to dissolve the House into and Executive session after which all issues on the Bills were kept in ambiance to allow for consultations.

But at the Senate, the Bills were quickly debated and moved to the public hearing stage.

The Bills are the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

The bills were consolidated into one at the House for a seamless debate.

The proposed laws were read for the first time on October 8 but debate by the House was put on hold due to disagreement on the content of the bill, especially by Northern leaders and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Although the House engaged government officials on the benefits of the bills, Speaker Tajudeen asked members to engage in wide consultations with their constituents to pave the way for a robust debate.

Apart from some observations on certain areas of the bills that appeared not in tandem with some sections of the 1999 Constitution and a few other clauses, members unanimously okayed the bills for a second reading.

Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda said while opposition members supported the spirit behind the bills, some had issues with certain aspects.

Chinda noted that the bills seek to rejig the nation’s tax system for effective revenue generation. He pointed out that for every law, there must be the spirit of the letters.

He said: “We have all agreed that the spirit behind the four bills is good.‘’

But we have issues with some of the letters of the bills. Why we oppose some letters of the bills, we support the spirit and want to assure Nigerians that we will watch those letters and at the appropriate time, we will ensure that the letters are corrected in the interest of Nigerians.

“He advocated a reduction in the Value Added Tax(VAT), saying ‘’It is possible to reduce tax, while efforts should be made to tidy up all areas of conflicts..’’

House Leader Julius Ihonvbere thereafter set the tone for the debate by explaining that the bills were intended to overhaul the country’s outdated tax laws.

Ihonvbere reassured the public that the reforms would benefit ordinary Nigerians without imposing tax burdens on the poor.

While appreciating those who hold opposing views to the bills, he said their views helped strengthen the bills.

The House leader charged members to “be part of history in reforming the tax system to promote revenue growth, increase employment and better the life of ordinary Nigerians.

Minority Whip, Ali Isa commended Speaker Abass for creating an opportunity for members to engage and consult widely on the contentious parts of the bills.

Isa however expressed concern about clause 146 which encourages a gradual increase in VAT from 7.5 percent to 10 percent and later 15 percent.

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One dead, many injured as bus collides with truck in Ikorodu (Photos)

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The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has confirmed that one person died while two others sustained injuries in a road accident along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by LASTMA spokesperson, Taofiq Adebayo, the incident occurred at the Idi-Iroko inward Ogolonto axis when a fully loaded commercial Mazda bus collided with a speeding articulated truck.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the Mazda bus, with registration number LND 490 SD, was recklessly competing for right of way when it crashed into the truck, registered as EKY 121 YJ.

“One passenger, who was seated at the doorway of the bus, was flung out of the vehicle and unfortunately crushed under the rear tyres of the truck,” Adebayo disclosed.

He added that two other passengers, a man and a woman, sustained serious injuries and were rushed by ambulance to Ikorodu General Hospital for urgent medical attention.

Police officers on the scene handed over the deceased’s remains to the victim’s family, while the damaged vehicles were promptly removed to restore free traffic flow.

Adebayo expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and advised motorists to avoid reckless driving on Lagos roads.

“This sad incident could have been avoided if traffic rules were obeyed. LASTMA will continue to educate, caution, and where necessary, sanction reckless drivers. We urge all road users to put safety first,” he said.

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Crime

60-year-old man arrested for raping Lagos lady

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The Lagos State Police Command, Gender Unit, has arrested a 60-year-old man, Ajayi Femi, for allegedly raping a 24-year-old lady.

The command disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The spokesperson for the command, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly spiked the survivor’s drink, rendering her unconscious, before having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

The incident took place on August 22, 2025, and was reported by the victim’s sister to the police at the Meiran Police Station before being transferred to the Gender Unit of the command for further investigation.

“Medical examinations conducted by the Gender Unit corroborated the survivor’s account, while the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation,” the statement read.

The command revealed that the suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation and has since been remanded in prison custody until the next adjourned date.

It added, “The command remains committed to ensuring justice for survivors of sexual offences.”

This case comes weeks after operatives of the command arrested a 45-year-old man in Ikotun for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl.

The incident, which attracted widespread outrage, reignited calls from rights activists for stiffer penalties against sex offenders.

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Seven Cult Suspects Arrested in Akwa Ibom with Human Skull

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested seven individuals suspected of cult-related activities in Ikot Osura, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.

According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, the suspects—allegedly members of the banned “Ku Klux Klan” confraternity—were apprehended on August 28, 2025.

The arrest followed a report by a student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, who was attacked on August 25 after renouncing his membership in the group. The victim was left unconscious, and his phone and ₦41,000 were stolen during the assault.

Acting on the report, police operatives launched a targeted operation that led to the arrest of the suspects: Douglas Ambe Esikhene, Stephen Asukwo Effiong, Saviour Dany Akpan, Emmanuel Friday Umoh, Augustine Uduak Okon, Mary Ating Asukwo, and Itohowo Christopher Uko.

A search of their hideout led to the recovery of a locally made short gun, seven live cartridges, a fresh human skull, a bottle containing a black substance suspected to be ritual oil, and another bottle believed to contain Guyanese oil used for rituals.

DSP John confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend more members of the group and recover additional evidence.

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