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Senate PassTinubu’s Controversial Tax Reform Bills For Second Reading—-The Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed President Bola Tinubu’s controversial Tax Reform Bills for second reading.

The Bills are: ‘A Bill for an Act to Establish the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman, for the harmonisation, coordination and settlement of disputes arising from revenue administration in Nigeria and for other related matters, 2024.

‘A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, No. 13, 2007 and enact the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act to Establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, charged with powers of assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruable to the Government of the Federation, and for related Matters, 2024.

‘A Bill for an Act to Provide for the assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruing to the Federation, Federal, States and Local Government; prescribe the powers and funtions of tax authorities, and for related matters, 2024.

‘A Bill for an Act to Repeal certain Acts on taxation and consolidate the l;egal frameworks relating to taxation and enact the Nigeria Tax Act to provide for taxation of income, transactions and instruments, and for related matters.

Sponsor of the bills, Senate Majority Leader Bamidele Opeyemi, explained the general principles, saying the proposed legislation, if passed into law, will mark a paradigm shift in tax administration in Nigeria, to the advantage of Nigerians.

Senator Ali Ndume, however, raised concerns on the sanctity of the reforms, saying it contradicts certain provisions of the Constitution.

He insisted that the Constitution 1999 as amended should have been re-amended to reflect the desire of tax reform.

Ndume also cited the bills rejection by Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the National Executive Council, as well as by traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

Noting that he was not against the reforms as some provisions are good for the development of a robust tax administration system in Nigeria, he stressed that necessary steps should have been taken to follow due process in line with parliamentary rules.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio after listening to Ndume, as well as presentations by Seriake Dickson and Mohammed Ali Monguno, who stoutly supported the bills, passed them for second reading through voice vote.

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UBA Plc, CEO Alawuba, Others Face Criminal Charges Over Osun LG Accounts

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UBA Plc

UBA Plc, CEO Alawuba, Others Face Criminal Charges Over Osun LG Accounts—-Osun State government has initiated a criminal charge against United Bank for Africa (UBA) its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Oliver Alawuba, the bank’s Secretary and Group Legal Adviser, Mr. Billy Odum, and Mr. Chukwuma Nweke, the bank’s Deputy Managing Director, before an Osogbo Chief Magistrate’s Court, Osun State capital, over the state’s local government funds.

UBA Plc and its officials are charged on an alleged 31 count-charge of infractions involving opening of bank accounts for the state’s 30 local government councils, in a marked MOS/601c/2025.

In the count One, Osun State government alleged that the UBA Plc and its officials on or about December 9, 2025, and on subsequent days, at UBA’s Osun State branch office located in the Olonkoro Area of Osogbo, conspired to commit felony by opening, operating and maintaining what it described as illegal Osun State Local Government Council accounts.

They were specifically accused of allowing the opening, operation and maintenance of accounts for each of the local government councils “by unknown private individuals as signatories” after the Local Government Service Commission had introduced to the defendants, Directors of Administration and General Services, and Directors of Finance of all the local governments as signatories to the councils’ statutory accounts.

Court documents indicate that the remaining counts similarly relate to the alleged opening and operation of accounts connected to all the 30 local government councils in Osun State, actions which the state government contended were carried out unlawfully.

The alleged offence, according to the charge occurred within the Osogbo Magisterial District and is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002. And Sections 2 and 3 (1) and (2), and punishable under section 5(1) and (2) of Osun State Local Government Accounts Administration Law, 2025.”

At the last hearing of the charge, the Chief Magistrate, A. A. Adeyeba, ordered that the defendants be served by their various email addresses and other means of substituted service.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 30, 2026, for hearing.

At the time of filing this report, no plea had been taken from the defendants, and UBA had yet to issue an official public response to the charges.

The case is expected to attract significant public and legal interest, given its implications for local government finances and the involvement of one of Nigeria’s major commercial banks.

Additionally report from VANGUARD

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BREAKING: Victor Osimhen Stars As Nigeria Beat Algeria To Set Up Morocco Semi-Final Clash

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Nigeria Beat Algeria To Set Up Morocco Semi-Final Clash

BREAKING: Victor Osimhen Stars As Nigeria Beat Algeria To Set Up Morocco Semi-Final Clash—-The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the semi-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Super Eagles pulled off a stunning display to beat Algeria 2-0 in their quarter-final clash on Saturday evening, to book their spot.

Eric Chelle’s men dominated the Desert Foxes for most of the first half, but failed to find the back of the net.

The closest Nigeria came to opening the scoring, came when Calvin Bassey’s effort was cleared off the line.

But in the second half, Victor Osimhen headed in Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross, before setting up Akor Adams for the second goal.

The three-time African champions will now clash with the hosts Morocco for a place in the final.

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