The National Assembly has officially transmitted the tax reform bills to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his assent, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), revealed during a press briefing in Abuja yesterday.

President Tinubu had initially sent four tax reform bills to the National Assembly last year, requesting their consideration and passage.

The bills sparked intense debates but were eventually approved by both chambers. On May 25, 2025, the harmonised versions from both chambers were adopted and prepared for transmission to the President.

Senator Adaramodu explained the process, saying, “Yes, the bill has now been transmitted. It is out of our hands and on its way to the executive.”

He further highlighted the thoroughness required in handling such legislation, adding, “Tax bills like these require careful scrutiny. Legal departments in both chambers must ensure they align with existing laws before we send them to the Presidency.”

The senator also clarified that the process takes time, noting, “It’s not a matter of two or three days. After harmonisation, the Clerk of the National Assembly prepares the final document. Only then can the Senate President and the Speaker sign off for transmission.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Mr. Sirajo Jaja, alongside a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, Aliyu Abubakar, on fresh allegations of money laundering involving state funds.

The duo appeared before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, where they were presented with a five-count amended charge. Both Jaja and Abubakar pleaded not guilty.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this marks a re-arraignment following their initial court appearance on April 7, when Jaja, Abubakar, and Abubakar’s company, Jasfad Resources Enterprise, were arraigned as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants respectively.

Under the amended charge, filed with suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2025, Abubakar, described as trading under the name and style of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, is now the 1st defendant, while Jaja is listed as the 2nd.

During the hearing, EFCC counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, informed the court of the amended charge, stating:

“May I draw the attention of the court to the proof of evidence filed in May 30 and another one filed in June 16.
We pray that the amended charge be read to the defendants.”

Lawyers for the defendants, Gordy Uche, SAN (for Abubakar) and Chief Chris Uche, SAN (for Jaja), did not oppose the application. After the charges were read, the two defendants entered not guilty pleas.

The defence then requested that the existing bail conditions previously granted to the defendants be maintained. With no objection from the prosecution, the court ruled that:

The duo should continue under the same bail terms.

Though Mohammed told the court that a prosecution witness was present to testify, both defence teams sought an adjournment to allow time to review new materials recently served.

“We will be constraint to ask for an adjournment. The additional proof of evidence, especially number two, was just served on us late yesterday. I have not even have the opportunity to confront my client with it.
Secondly, this morning, we were served with this amended charge. Even though we have not read through it, we felt we should not stall the proceedings,” Abubakar’s lawyer said.

Chief Uche also echoed the request for more preparation time. With no opposition from the prosecution, Justice Egwuatu granted the adjournment, fixing the trial to begin on July 21.

In the first count of the amended charge, the EFCC alleged that Abubakar, operating through Jasfad Resources Enterprise, conspired with Jaja, and others, Abubakar Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Bose (who are still at large), between 2024 and 2025, to commit money laundering.

The Commission accused the group of converting public funds from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) into Jasfad Resources Enterprise’s account in the same bank.

The charge further states that this act was:

“Contrary to Section 21(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Additionally, the alleged fund transfers violated provisions of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act, specifically:

“Contrary to Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act Cap F34 LFN 2010 and punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act,”

The trial is now set to commence on July 21, 2025.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to accept the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) notification for its upcoming 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing a procedural violation in how the notice was submitted.

In a letter dated June 13, 2025, and addressed to PDP’s National Chairman, INEC pointed out that the notification did not align with the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

The Commission referred specifically to Part 2(12)3, which outlines that:

“The National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit same to the Commission.”

The letter, signed by INEC’s Acting Secretary, Hajiya Hau’ru Aminu, highlighted that the PDP’s submitted notice failed to meet this requirement.

“The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance… Be guided,” the letter stated.

Although the PDP filed the notice within the 21-day legal timeframe, it was reportedly endorsed solely by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, without the signature of National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, a key procedural lapse.

According to the PDP’s earlier communication to INEC, dated May 30, 2025, the NEC meeting is scheduled for June 30 at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The gathering is expected to deliberate on a number of internal matters, including unresolved leadership tensions, ratification of zonal congresses, and the review of various committee reports.

The party has been grappling with deep-seated internal conflict in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, which led to waves of defections.

High-profile exits included Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, among other political stakeholders in the state, who all joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in April.

In response, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) convened an emergency meeting that same month at the party’s Abuja secretariat to discuss the crisis.

More recently, on June 9, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and members of the influential G5 group held a meeting in which they called for the PDP to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, signaling early moves in shaping the party’s political direction.

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, has launched a series of consultations in an effort to unite key opposition figures.

His discussions with politicians such as Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai are aimed at forming a broader coalition to challenge what he has described as the emergence of a de facto “one-party state” under the ruling APC.

However, not everyone in the party supports the coalition idea.

Some prominent PDP members, including Bode George, remain optimistic that the party will regroup and emerge stronger ahead of the planned NEC meeting.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday officially launched the construction of a new annex for the National Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held in Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marks what the President described as a significant step toward bolstering Nigeria’s democratic infrastructure.

In his address, Tinubu emphasized the broader implications of the project, stating that it transcends mere physical development.

“Today’s ceremony is not merely about brick and mortar, it is about the strength of our democracy, the independence of our institutions, and the future of our electoral integrity,” he said.

“INEC has been and remains the backbone of Nigeria’s democratic journey.”

The President underscored the critical role INEC plays in shaping the nation’s democratic landscape, noting its central role in delivering credible elections and empowering citizens to actively participate in governance.

“Its role in conducting free, fair, and credible elections is central to the roles our people play in their government and in our democratic process,” Tinubu noted.

“For this reason, it is only right that such a pivotal institution is housed in a structure that reflects the dignity, responsibility, and national significance of that institution.”

He added that the new annex will not only offer a conducive workspace for electoral operations but also serve as a hub for innovation and transparency in election management.

“The new headquarters is a clear signal of our unwavering support for INEC’s autonomy, capacity, and growth,” he said.

“It will provide not just a conducive home, but a hub for innovation, planning, training, and transparency in electoral administration.”

The ceremony drew the attendance of key political figures and stakeholders, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud; and INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Tinubu praised the leadership and personnel of INEC for their resilience and dedication to electoral reform. He also commended Minister Wike for facilitating the project’s approval.

“We are committed to ensuring that INEC is fully equipped, not only in infrastructure, but in law, policy, and resources, to carry out its constitutional mandate with courage, fairness, and excellence,” the President affirmed.

Responding to concerns surrounding the project’s approval process, Wike clarified that the initiative was not unilaterally authorized by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), but rather ratified by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in March 2025.

He assured the President that the building would be completed before the end of the current administration in 2027, stating that the project is one of many aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s public institutions.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu expressed deep appreciation for the new development, which he described as a milestone in a nearly decade-long campaign to address the commission’s growing spatial needs.

Yakubu recounted how the current INEC headquarters, built in 1997, was designed for only eight commission members, 10 departments, and 500 staff, figures that have since more than doubled.

“After almost 10 years of persistent effort, the construction of the INEC Annex Building is finally a reality,” he said.

He explained that INEC now operates with 13 commissioners, 22 departments, and over 1,000 personnel, severely straining the existing facility.

The new annex, he revealed, will accommodate offices, conference rooms, a 1,000-seat auditorium, and state-of-the-art IT spaces including the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC).

“As the end user of the facility, our technical department submitted the concept of the proposed building, which is what the FCT is currently executing,” Yakubu stated.

“We made provision for offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms, a 1,000-seat auditorium and offices for some of our IT-based facilities such as the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC).”

He added that the building will also feature a museum chronicling Nigeria’s electoral history, providing students and citizens a tangible connection to the country’s democratic evolution.

“Beyond these facilities, the building plan has provision for a museum to serve as a repository for the physical and digital history of elections and electoral activities in Nigeria,” Yakubu said.

“This will afford citizens, particularly students, who regularly visit the commission on excursion, the opportunity to appreciate the evolution of our electoral history, as is the case in many jurisdictions around the world.”

While the new facility will serve as an annex, the current headquarters will remain INEC’s official central office.

The construction marks the third major intervention by FCDA in INEC’s infrastructure since the agency’s relocation from Lagos to Abuja in 1991.