Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has told the Federal Government why the new tax law cannot take effect. Addressing newsmen at his Ilawe-Ekiti hometown on Wednesday, Falana said until the controversies surrounding the legitimacy of their provisions, occasioned by allegations of insertion, are addressed, the new tax laws cannot take effect According to him, the federal government should have used the last few days of 2025 to address the issue and make clean copies of the new tax laws available before January 1, 2026. “If that was not done, the government would put itself in trouble by deciding to implement the laws. There are interest groups ready to challenge the legitimacy of the laws,” he said. Recall that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said there is no going back on the January 1, 2026 implementation of the tax laws. The senior lawyer, however, stated that the laws could not take effect until the controversies surrounding their legitimacy were resolved.

The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Shetima Mohammed, has imposed a total ban on the burning of used tyres during crossover night activities marking the New Year celebrations across the state. The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lafia by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Ramhan Nansel. According to the statement, Mohammed ordered all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to ensure strict enforcement of the ban. He warned that anyone found engaging in the act would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. The police commissioner said the ban was necessary to protect critical government and private infrastructure from damage and defacement, prevent environmental pollution, and ensure the free flow of traffic as well as public safety during the festivities. He also urged vulcanisers across the state to ensure that all used tyres were properly disposed of or taken away at the close of business each day to prevent unauthorised access by members of the public. Mohammed further advised parents and guardians to caution their wards against burning tyres or engaging in other unlawful activities during the New Year celebrations. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nasarawa State Police Command to ensuring a peaceful, safe and hitch-free New Year celebration for residents of the state.

Australia ushered in 2026 with a large-scale fireworks display over Sydney Harbour, accompanied by a minute’s silence to honour victims of the Bondi beach attack, as major cities around the world marked the start of the new year, according to The Independent report on Wednesday . In Sydney, about 40,000 fireworks were launched across more than four miles of waterfront, lighting up the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, buildings and barges along the harbour. An hour before midnight, crowds observed a moment of reflection for those killed and injured in the Bondi attack, described as the country’s worst mass shooting. Images of a menorah were projected onto the Harbour Bridge, and members of the public were invited to show solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community by shining their phone torches across the water. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged residents not to let fear deter them from attending celebrations, warning that reduced crowds would be seen as a victory by extremists. “We can’t be in a situation where this horrible, criminal, terrorist event changes the way we live in our beautiful city,” Minns told reporters on Wednesday. “We have to show defiance in the face of this terrible crime and say that we’re not going to be cowered by this kind of terrorism,” he added. Earlier, Auckland became one of the first major cities to welcome 2026, with more than 3,000 fireworks launched from New Zealand’s tallest building, the Sky Tower. The five-minute display involved fireworks fired from multiple levels of the 240-metre structure as the country celebrated midnight around 18 hours ahead of New York. The first place in the world to ring in the new year was the island of Kiritimati, part of the Pacific nation of Kiribati. The country, made up of several atolls spread across nearly 2,500 miles of the Pacific Ocean, gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979 and has a population of about 116,000. Across Asia, countries including Japan and South Korea were set to celebrate the new year in the afternoon GMT, alongside Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. Hong Kong, however, cancelled its traditional fireworks display following a deadly apartment complex fire in November that killed 161 people, the worst blaze the city has experienced in decades. Instead, authorities organised a light show and scaled-back musical performances. In a New Year’s Eve address broadcast by state media, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised China’s advances in technology, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors, and reiterated Beijing’s position on Taiwan. “We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a bond of blood and kinship,” he said. “The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable.” Europe’s celebrations followed later, with Germany, France and Italy marking the new year ahead of the UK. In Berlin, snowfall blanketed landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate, while fog partially obscured the city’s TV Tower as residents gathered in wintry conditions. In London, the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks were again expected to draw millions of viewers, with tickets for close-up viewing selling out in advance and central areas closing early to accommodate the event. The celebrations were set to conclude in the United States, with New York marking the new year at 5am GMT with performances by Diana Ross and Ciara, followed by Los Angeles three hours later.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress. Obi, who is also a former Governor of Anambra state, urged Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.” Obi announced his defection at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu on Wednesday, where he delivered a New Year address, accusing the current political leadership of state capture, economic mismanagement and systematic erosion of democratic values. “This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. I now respectfully call on my political associates, the Obidient Movement and opposition leaders across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress. History will not forgive silence in moments of national peril,” he said. Presenting his defection as part of a larger national mission, Obi said Nigeria had reached a critical turning point and could no longer afford politics of division. “As the year 2025 ends today, we stand on the threshold of a new beginning. For Nigeria, moments of profound national challenge demand clarity of purpose and decisive action. That moment is now,” he said. He described Nigeria as a nation in deep distress, citing widespread poverty, unemployment and insecurity, saying, “With over 130 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty and more than 80 million youths unemployed, our people are in persistent agony. This is not the destiny God bequeathed to over 220 million Nigerians. “Nigeria is looted into poverty” Obi rejected claims that Nigeria’s crisis was inevitable, arguing that leadership failure, not lack of resources, was responsible. “As a nation, we are not poor; we are looted into poverty. Nigeria is not broken; Nigeria is severely betrayed. The average Nigerian is not lazy or incompetent, but the system is rigged to reward mediocrity and recycle failure,” he said. He accused the political elite of deliberately exploiting ethnic and religious divisions to remain in power. “Their expertise lies in creating more divisions to sustain themselves in office. With little or no interest in unity or inclusive development,” he said. Obi issued a strong warning over the integrity of future elections, insisting that reforms of the electoral system were non-negotiable. He cautioned against attempts to rig the 2027 general elections. Drawing from his international engagements, Obi compared Nigeria’s trajectory with countries that have achieved rapid development through unity and effective leadership. He also cited Indonesia as an example of how leadership choices matter. “Indonesia and Nigeria started with similar characteristics,” Obi noted, “but while Indonesia is now a trillion-dollar economy, Nigeria is grappling with de-industrialisation, corruption and deepening poverty.” Obi criticised the Federal Government’s tax reforms, describing them as anti-people and economically counterproductive. He described reports of a forged tax law as a dangerous precedent. “A tax regime founded on forgery cannot build trust, unity or prosperity,” Obi said. Positioning his defection as a strategic move toward 2027, Obi said opposition unity was essential to defeating what he described as “a government that thrives on division and propaganda.”

A traditional wedding ceremony was thrown into chaos on Tuesday night after unknown gunmen invaded Akunza, a Migili-speaking residential area of Ashige in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. A youth leader from the community, who confirmed the incident, said at least three people were killed in the attack, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. He disclosed that women and children were among those injured and are currently receiving medical treatment at a health facility. The attack reportedly occurred while the wedding festivities were ongoing, leaving residents in panic and mourners fleeing for safety. Details of the motive behind the assault remain unclear as of the time of filing this report.

“Christmas Day, a season meant for joy, laughter and family togetherness, became the darkest day of my life. Instead of celebrating, I watched as my 32-year-old only child was snatched from me.” This was the lamentation of Mrs. Chinyere Emeagi, whose only son, Amauche Ezeji, was shot dead by a yet-to-be-identified gunman at about 8pm on December 25, 2025, in the Askaka Road area of Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State. The deceased, according to his mother, had taken his pregnant wife to his grandmother’s home for the Yuletide celebration. Narrating the incident, Mrs. Emeagi, who is yet to come to terms with her son’s demise, said: “Amauche Lucky Ezeji, was my only child, my hope and my future. He only wanted to do what any responsible husband would do : drop his pregnant wife at his grandmother’s house so the family could celebrate together. “We were all together when he received a phone call. He told us he would be back shortly and rushed out. That was the last time I saw my son alive. “Moments later, I was told that my son had been shot along Askaka Road. When I got there, he was lying in a pool of blood. He had been shot in the chest at close range. People were screaming, others were running in fear, and the person who killed my son had already disappeared into the night. “We rushed him to the hospital, praying that God would save him, but the doctors said he was dead. In that moment, my world collapsed. “Amauche was not just my son; he was my only child. I have no other son or daughter. Worse still, he was supposed to bury his late father on January 7, 2026. Instead of preparing for that burial, I am now preparing to bury my only child alongside his father,” she stated in tears. Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command confirmed that an investigation into the killing has commenced. Police sources at the Utagba Ogbe Division, where the incident was reported, disclosed that preliminary information indicated that the deceased might have had an argument with some unidentified young men at a pub shortly before the shooting, which allegedly occurred as he was leaving the premises.

A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber, Ibrahim Mohammed, captured by troops of Operation HADIM KAI in collaboration with hunters in Yobe State has revealed chilling details of how he was recruited, paid and deployed to carry out deadly attacks on worshippers in Maiduguri, admitting that he received up to N100,000 for suicide bombing missions. Ibrahim, who confessed to involvement in the December 24 suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, said the operation was planned and executed under the directive of Boko Haram commanders operating between Adamawa State and the Mandara Mountains. Zagazola quoted him as saying during interrogation: “My name is Ibrahim from Michika in Adamawa. We came to Maiduguri to plant bombs in Izala Mosque. We were sent by our leaders, Adamu and Abubakar, who gave us two IEDs to plant in the mosque.” The suspect disclosed that suicide bombing had become a paid assignment within the terror network. “I was paid money ranging from N70,000 to N100,000 per mission,” he said. The Gamboru Market Mosque attack claimed five lives and left 32 worshippers injured, plunging Maiduguri town into confusion during the festive period. Nigeria: Student Discovered a Way to Treat Joints at Home in 14 Days Nigeria: Student Discovered a Way to Treat Joints at Home in 14 Days Narrating how the attack was executed, Ibrahim said the operatives exploited periods when mosques were empty to plant the explosive devices. “We came after Zuhur and Asr prayers when the mosque was empty. We entered pretending to pray. My colleague was digging to plant the IED in the middle of the mosque while I was digging by the side,” he said. According to him, the devices were coupled and timed ahead of the Maghrib prayers. “As Muslim faithful gathered to pray Maghrib, after the first raka’at, we detonated the bomb. We set the timing for five minutes. Shortly after, I ran to the market area,” he said.

Nollywood actor, Rotimi Salami, has finally broken his silence after the death of his close associate and mentor, actress Allwell Ademola. THENEWSCREDIT reports that Allwell died from a heart attack on Saturday December 27 2025. Reacting to the actress’ sudden death, many Nigerians stormed Rotimi Salami’s comment section expressing concern about his well-being. Finally reacting to the incident in a viral post on Instagram, Rotimi Salami who noted that all is not well, urged the public not to console him when they see him. “Please, when you see me, don’t try to console me. Because I will break down. I still can’t say farewell, Shuga Boo. All is not well at the moment “72 hours of endless tears still can’t bring back my Shuga Boo. But for the sake of our family, friends, and fans who showed up in prayers, calls, posts, and most especially for my children, who will draw strength from me as we learn to move on without our Allwell Ademola. I promise to stand strong. “To everyone who has genuinely reached out to me with love & concern for my state of mind and well being through messages, calls, and voice notes, I see all. I’m just too weak to read, listen, respond, or even find the words to express how I really feel right now,” he said.

The death toll from the fire that gutted the Great Nigeria Building in the Balogun Market area of Lagos Island, Lagos State, has risen to five, as two more bodies were recovered from the rubble on Sunday. This came as another fire outbreak on Monday evening gutted a section of the Arena Market in the Bolade area of Oshodi, Lagos State. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, in a statement by its Controller General, Margret Adeseye, stated that it received a distress call at about 5:50pm, prompting the immediate deployment of firefighting units, which arrived at the scene within five minutes. She added that the fire affected five 40-foot container shops arranged in two rows, bringing the total number of affected shops to 10. The statement read, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service received a distress call at approximately 17:50 hours today reporting a fire outbreak at Arena Market, Bolade, Oshodi. Firefighting units were promptly dispatched and arrived at the scene within five minutes. At about 17:55 hours, fire crews from Bolade, Ilupeju, Ikeja, and Alausa Fire Stations responded swiftly and collaboratively to contain the incident. “The fire affected a section of the market consisting of five (5) 40-foot container shops arranged in two rows, making a total of 10 shops. The affected area is primarily used for the storage and sale of clothing materials, which were stocked in bales. The fire has been confined to the affected section and curtailed. The situation is firmly under control, and there is no risk of the fire spreading to other parts of the market.” According to the fire service, the inferno was successfully confined to the affected section and brought under control, with no risk of it spreading to adjoining areas of the market. On the GNI incident, THENEWSCREDIT reported that the fire started on the fourth floor and spread to the sixth floor of the 25-storey building before engulfing the remaining floors and adjoining structures. A detached section of the plaza, estimated at about seven floors, collapsed during the inferno, trapping traders and market assistants. While seven individuals were rescued shortly after the collapse, three bodies were recovered from the rubble on Friday. Sources at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency told our Correspondent on Tuesday that the additional bodies were pulled out during ongoing search-and-rescue operations on Sunday. “We recovered two more bodies on Sunday. The bodies were already burnt because of the fire, and we could not recognise who they were. One of the bodies was also mangled. “The goods under the rubble are still a reason why the fire is still burning under it. It is no longer an emergency situation other than recovery,” the source disclosed. Our correspondent gathered on Tuesday that more people have begun to throng the scene of the incident in search of their loved ones. There were also indications that the customers who had come to purchase goods were also caught up in the incident. “More people have been coming to this place since Sunday in search of their loved ones who had come to purchase items in the market. They claimed they last heard from them on Wednesday when the incident happened,” a shop owner in the market, Wunmi Olabisi, told our Correspondent. Emergency responders have continued excavation and search efforts amid growing anxiety from families awaiting information on missing relatives. THENEWSCREDIT had earlier reported that no fewer than 20 individuals were still trapped under the rubble. Relatives who spoke to our correspondent in separate interviews on Sunday also provided names and photographs of their affected loved ones. The identified victims include Elo Chukwu, Omeigbo Chuwuebuka, Omeigbo Chukwudubem, Kayode Omoniyi, Ikechukwudi Asobi and Murphy Aborinwa. Others are Onyeka Obinwa, Mercy Ukamaka, and Taofeeq Opera, as well as a trader identified as Chiding and two of his boys. The remaining trapped persons include several other market assistants whose identities could not be ascertained. Reacting to the incident, the Shitta-Bey family of Lagos, owners of the GNI Building, expressed deep sorrow over the fire incident that recently gutted the high-rise structure, describing it as a tragic occurrence. In a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, the family said its thoughts and prayers were with the victims and their families affected by the incident. The family assured the public that it was working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that affected individuals received the necessary support and assistance. “The Shitta-Bey family of Lagos, the owner of Shitta-Bey Court, popularly called GNI Building, is deeply saddened by the recent fire accident in our high-rise building. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families affected by this tragic incident. We want to assure the public and residents that the family is working closely with authorities to ensure that affected individuals receive all necessary support and assistance. “We urge everyone to disregard any false narratives or misinformation being spread by the former tenant/caretaker, Great Nigeria Insurance Ltd (GNI), under whose management the building got burnt in November 2013 but was left in a dangerous state for almost six years until the family, pursuant to the Order of the High Court of Lagos State dated the 31st day of October, 2019, recovered possession from the company and rehabilitated the building.” The family further reassured residents and stakeholders that the building was adequately insured and pledged its commitment to restoring the structure, including the mosque within the premises, while ensuring the safe return of all residents. It added that updates would be provided as more information became available.

Ten states are planning to source about N4.287tn from loans, bonds, grants, capital receipts, and public-private partnerships to finance capital projects in their 2026 budgets. Collectively, the states, including Lagos, Abia, Ogun, Enugu, Osun, Delta, Sokoto, Edo, Bayelsa, and Gombe, presented budgets totalling N14.174tn to lawmakers. An analysis of these budgets by The PUNCH shows that these states are increasingly turning to non-recurring financing beyond statutory federal transfers, including allocations from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, value-added tax receipts, and internally generated revenue, to support ambitious infrastructure and development projects. Economists say Nigeria’s growing reliance on borrowing is not mainly because the country lacks revenue but because public funds are poorly managed. They argue that budgets, which should strictly guide government spending, are often ignored, while weak oversight and revenue leakages force governments to rely on loans. Although borrowing can help fund development when used carefully, frequent and unchecked borrowing risks creating long-term debt problems and passing today’s failures onto future generations. In Lagos State, the commercial hub with the nation’s largest subnational budget, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu proposed a N4.237tn budget for 2026. Of this, N3.12tn will come from IGR and federal transfers, leaving N1.117tn (26.4 per cent) to be raised through loans and bonds to finance capital projects. Even for a state with IGR comparable to some smaller African countries, borrowing remains a key mechanism to fund ambitious infrastructure and development initiatives. Former Vice-Chancellor of Crescent University, Prof Sheriffdeen Tella, our correspondent that states should live within their means and focus on improving internally generated revenue. “States were not originally meant to borrow because they are largely dependent on allocations from the federal government,” he said, adding that weak fiscal discipline at the centre has encouraged similar behaviour at the subnational level. According to him, the Federal Government’s own heavy borrowing has weakened its ability to restrain states, resulting in a system where all tiers of government accumulate debt, creating long-term problems for future generations. Abia State’s N1.016tn budget illustrates the challenges facing smaller, less commercially driven states. Under Governor Alex Otti, who is spearheading a revival of years of neglected infrastructure, the state expects to generate N607.2bn from FAAC allocations, value-added tax, grants, and other federal revenue channels. This leaves a funding gap of N409bn, or 40.3 per cent, which the government plans to cover through borrowing and other non-recurring sources. Abia made verifiable progress in 2025, emerging as one of the leading states for domestic debt reduction. As of March 31, 2025, Abia’s domestic debt stood at N48.67bn, marking a 57.2 per cent decline from the previous year. By Q2 2025, the figure was reported at N48.6bn, the Debt Management Office recorded. Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Ogun State N1.669tn “Budget of Sustainable Legacy” anticipates N509.88bn from internally generated revenue and N554.81bn from federal transfers, but loans and grants of N518.9bn (31.1 per cent) will be required to fund its capital projects. In the first half of 2025, total state external debt in Nigeria rose slightly to $4.812bn, with Ogun State accounting for $21.8m of the increase. Prof Tella warned that the persistent turn to borrowing reflects poor revenue management rather than a lack of income, insisting that Nigeria’s core fiscal challenge is revenue leakage and misappropriation. “As far as I am concerned, revenue is not Nigeria’s problem. The problem is the stealing of the revenue,” he said, noting that public funds that should strengthen government finances are often lost, making borrowing appear inevitable. Enugu State plans a N1.62tn budget for 2026, a 66.5 per cent increase over 2025. While N870bn from IGR and N387bn from federal allocations will cover recurrent expenditure and some developmental spending, N329bn (20.3 per cent) will come from loans and capital receipts. The DMO reported that in Q2 2025, Enugu State had the highest domestic debt in the South-East, with a stock of N180.5bn, more than 10 times that of Ebonyi, the region’s least indebted state, which stood at N15.8bn. “Budgeting in Nigeria does not make any sense to some of us. It no longer makes sense at all,” Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Chris Onyeka, told our correspondent. “When budget performance is at 30 per cent, what is the point? When budgets are violated and not implemented, extra-budgetary expenses become the order of the day.” He questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria’s budgeting process, arguing that budgets have lost their force as binding legal instruments due to weak enforcement. Onyeka said a budget is meant to serve as a guide that outlines government revenue expectations and spending plans for the coming year, noting that once approved by the legislature, it becomes law and should be strictly followed by the executive. “If you go outside the law, it means you have broken the law, and when laws are broken, there should be consequences,” he said. Further, Osun State’s N723.45bn budget relies on N421.25bn in recurrent revenue, with N286.01bn (39.5 per cent) from capital receipts to fund its projects. The state significantly reduced its debt profile in 2025 under Governor Ademola Adeleke. External debt fell from $91.78m to $75.14m, a decline of 18.13 per cent, while domestic debt dropped from N148.37bn in 2022 to N83.32bn in 2025, a reduction of N65bn, or 43.84 per cent. In Delta State, expected growth in internally generated revenue, projected at N250bn, combined with N720bn in federal transfers, still leaves N694bn (41.7 per cent) from loans and grants to fund capital expenditure in its N1.664tn budget. Sokoto State’s N758.7bn “Budget of Socio-Economic Expansion” will see N233.8bn (30.8 per cent) sourced from grants, aid, and capital development funds, while Edo State will cover N299bn (31.8 per cent) of its N939.85bn budget through loans, grants, and public-private partnerships. The NLC executive said breaches of budgetary provisions often go unpunished, creating a system where accountability is selective. He said laws are typically enforced only when they affect ordinary citizens and workers, while government officials face little or no consequences for violations. According to him, this lack of accountability undermines public confidence in the budget process and weakens fiscal discipline. On the issue of borrowing, Onyeka said debt itself was not a crime, stressing that borrowing could be justified if it is properly utilised to stimulate economic activity and support growth. Bayelsa State, another oil-dependent economy, plans N74.9bn (7.4 per cent) of its N1.01tn budget from loans and grants, while Gombe State’s N535.7bn “Budget of Consolidation” is the most dependent, with N325.5bn (60.8 per cent) expected from loans and capital receipts. Under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta State reduced its domestic debt in 2025 through repayments rather than new borrowings. Domestic debt stood at N204.67bn as of June 30, 2025, down slightly from N204.72bn in March, with a Q2 reduction of N93.92bn noted in analyses. Although the state remains among the more heavily indebted, the decline reflects a measure of fiscal caution amid national trends. Bayelsa State maintained one of the lowest domestic debt profiles among Nigerian states as of mid-2025 under Governor Douye Diri. Domestic debt fell to N65.99bn by June 30, 2025, down from N73.53bn in March, reflecting a N7.54bn reduction in Q2. The state remains the least indebted in the South-South region. Tella also criticised the handling of savings from reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and naira devaluation, alleging that the gains are shared among different tiers of government without clear evidence of impact at the state level. He said the absence of public accountability and sustained pressure on government officials has allowed the situation to persist, undermining fiscal sustainability and public trust. Last week, fiscal expert Aliyu Ilias told our correspondent that states with low IGR are particularly vulnerable. He warned that over one-third of budgets in several states depend on non-recurring funds, which could undermine fiscal sustainability if borrowing and external funding do not materialise on time.