News
Nigerians groan over effects of 7.5% VAT on petrol prices

Nigerians have begun to lament the effects of the introduction of a 7.5 per cent Value-Added Tax on the price of premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol.
This comes barely a month after President Bola Tinubu removed the subsidy on petrol during his inaugural speech on May 29, raising the price of PMS from N188 to about N580 in different states of the federation.
Recall that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, announced that the Finance Act 2020 raised the previous 5 per cent VAT of the country to 7.5 per cent on commodities including automobile gas oil and it was implemented on February 20, 2020.
But the VAT-exempt items include honey, bread, cereals, cooking oils, culinary herbs, fish, flour, starch, fruits, meat, poultry, milk, nuts, pulses, roots, salt, vegetables, water, sanitary pads, tampons, tertiary, secondary, primary and nursery tuition.
While other commodities have been VAT-compliant, PMS was not until recently because it was being subsidised by the Federal Government.
However, the new development has hit Nigerians hard, as many have called for an utmost review of it, especially because of the recent removal of fuel subsidies.
See reactions below:
A user, Ingawa said, “That means for every litre of AGO you will buy, you have to pay 7.5% Consumer Tax (VAT) of the Pump Price. For example; If 1 litre of AGO is N650 at the filling station, then you have to pay an additional N48.75 being payment for 7.5% VAT. The total price per litre will be N698.75 per litre.”
Another user, Angry Non-Nigerian, said, “When Tinubu said ‘widen the tax net, you people thought he was joking. The only thing that man knows is tax, tax and tax. As Lagosians.”
One Oyo said, “The Citizens will be the main IGR for this government. There is no single move to cut the cost of government from the Senate to the House to other departments. They went to education first by trying to add tuition fees, now 7.5% VAT on PMS. Everything directly to the common man.”
Akwa Ibom 1st son opined, “So after the removal of subsidy and the price of fuel jumped to 530, they’ve now decided to add 7.5%. VAT on AGO. In all of these, what are the politicians losing, and what are they sacrificing?”
“7.5% VAT on diesel after subsidy on petrol was removed? They will show you people shege banza pro max air 2. The government is after our lives bro!.
“Even those that were shouting ‘Akanbi’ will not be left out. They might even end up being the most affected. The evil will go round. I swear!
“Good governance is not attained by wishful thoughts, things don’t work that way. Now, Tinubu is going for a check-up after ruining the economy with senseless policies.
“His supporters have been crying since last week because the pressure is going around. We must all learn a lesson,” Madu Obi wrote.
News
ALLEGED CONTEMPT: INEC CHAIRMAN ABSENT, COURT FIXES OCTOBER 8
The lawsuit is instituted by Edozie Njoku, Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), who was accusing the INEC boss of flouting an order of mandamus directing INEC to accept the outcome of an emergency convention that produced him.

The Chairman of Nigeria’s electoral body INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, failed to show up when a case of contempt against him came up for mention at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.
The lawsuit is instituted by Edozie Njoku, Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), who was accusing the INEC boss of flouting an order of mandamus directing INEC to accept the outcome of an emergency convention that produced him.
At the proceedings, Alhassan Umar, counsel for Professor Yakubu informed the Court of a pending application challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
But this was contested by NRM’s lawyer, Oladimeji Ekengba ought to have been present as it is a criminal case.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu subsequently adjourned the case till October 8.
News
FG Immortalizes Buhari renaming UNIMAID after him
UNIMAID will now be known as Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday announced that the University of Maiduguri would be renamed in honour of the late leader, Muhammadu Buhari.
UNIMAID will now be known as Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.
Presiding over the FEC session, President Tinubu delivered a stirring tribute, celebrating Buhari’s life as one defined by discipline, moral fortitude, and unwavering patriotism.
He described Buhari not as a perfect man—no leader is—but as a good, decent, and honourable man.
While acknowledging that Buhari’s record, like all legacies, will be subject to debate, Tinubu insisted that the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, and the incorruptible standard he represented will not be forgotten.
Crime
JUST IN: Court Frees 24 IPOB Members After Four Years of Detention

A high court in Ebonyi State has ordered the release of 24 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after they were held in detention for four years.
The ruling on Thursday marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings involving the group.
The 24 IPOB members were discharged and acquitted by Justice I. P. Chima of Ebonyi State High Court.
It was gathered that they were among the last batch of the IPOB detainees out of the 36 held since May 4 2020.
Meanwhile, their lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, confirmed their freedom in a statement titled, “Justice Delayed, But Never Denied.”
According to him, the ruling followed the preliminary objection which highlighted the brazen violation of their fundamental rights: particularly the constitutionally guaranteed protection against double jeopardy, enshrined under Section 36(9) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Ejiofor said the sacred principle, “autrefois acquit”, stipulates that no person shall be tried again for an offence in respect of which they have previously been acquitted.
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