Categories of Nigerians to be exempted from paying tax in New Tax Reformed Bills revealed
Categories of Nigerians to be exempted from paying tax in New Tax Reformed Bills revealed
In a move set to reshape Nigeria’s tax landscape, the Senate is poised to approve the much-debated Tax Reform Bills today, barring any last-minute developments.
The proposed legislation, which has sparked considerable controversy, will exempt individuals earning less than N1 million annually from the tax net, a measure aimed at alleviating the financial burden on lower-income earners.
The bills, initially met with resistance by several lawmakers, gained newfound support following clarifications from key government tax officials. These include Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office; Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.
During their testimony before the Senate, these experts assured the lawmakers that the reform was designed to target wealth creation, not penalize the poor, and reiterated that those earning under N1 million would remain exempt from income tax. They also addressed concerns about the Value Added Tax (VAT) system, noting that its distribution, which currently favors states like Lagos, will be reevaluated for greater fairness.
The legislative process moved forward with renewed momentum. Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who chaired yesterday’s plenary session, confirmed that debate on the bills will continue today.
It is expected that the bills will quickly proceed from first reading to an executive session and, thereafter, to a second reading and passage.
This step comes after a delay in late October 2024, when the bills were initially listed for first reading in the Senate but were postponed in favor of other legislative priorities, including the screening and confirmation of seven ministerial nominees by President Bola Tinubu.
The tax reform bills were not included in the subsequent day’s agenda, as the Senate adjourned for a three-week recess.
Yesterday’s session, however, saw a dramatic turn of events when the Tax Reform Bill unexpectedly resurfaced for debate. The surprise appearance of the bill sparked a heated confrontation on the floor, as it was not initially listed among the day’s scheduled business.
The sudden introduction led to a shouting match, with lawmakers visibly frustrated by the unanticipated move.
Tensions flared after Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), raised a point of order following the conclusion of other legislative matters.
Despite the uproar, the bill’s progress remains on track, with a final vote expected soon.
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Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.
The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.
They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .
The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.
The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.
Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.
The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)
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Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
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Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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