Two individuals, Olufunsho Dayo Chevy and Uwem Udo Nya, have been ordered to pay a fine of N10 million to the Federal Government following their conviction for oil theft.

Each convict was instructed to deposit N5 million into the government’s account.

The conviction, involving the two defendants, a vessel named MT New Angel, and a company, Edi Eurolink Distribution, was achieved by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Uyo Zonal Command.

According to EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the convicts were apprehended by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory and transferred to the EFCC on July 30, 2024.

They pleaded guilty to the charges in court.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Calabar sentenced them on a one-count charge of theft and unlicensed dealing in petroleum products.

Babajimi Benson, the representative for Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos State, has rejected claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tax reforms are designed to foster regional divisions between Nigeria’s North and South.

In an interview on Friday, Benson emphasized that the reforms aim to drive equitable economic growth and modernize Nigeria’s outdated tax laws.

Benson critiqued Nigeria’s current tax system, which he said was based on legislation from the 1930s and burdened with inefficiencies and inequities.

He argued that the proposed reforms would benefit the entire country, not just specific regions, as some critics have suggested.

Among the key provisions of the new tax policy, Benson highlighted the removal of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax for civil servants earning minimum wage.

He also pointed out that the reforms address a long-standing issue with the centralization of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, which has disproportionately benefited major cities like Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The new system ensures VAT revenues are allocated based on consumption and production in each state, promoting a fairer revenue-sharing model.

Benson noted that the reforms would incentivize state governments to foster business-friendly environments, leading to stronger local economies and higher tax revenues.

He also praised the alignment of the reforms with global tax practices, particularly in eliminating double taxation for foreign companies outsourcing jobs to Nigeria, which could attract significant foreign investment.

To ensure fairness across states, Benson highlighted the introduction of a ₦300 billion stabilization fund to assist states struggling to meet revenue targets.

He called on Nigerians to support the reforms and avoid politicizing the policy.

A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a ruling barring the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from arresting drivers or imposing penalties for vehicles with faded number plates.

Justice Akintayo Aluko delivered the decision on Friday, after hearing a suit filed by legal practitioner Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube against the FRSC.

In his suit, Ezebube argued that the FRSC, as the sole body responsible for designing and producing vehicle number plates in Nigeria, should be held accountable for the poor quality and durability of the plates.

He further contended that the FRSC should not penalize or arrest drivers for having faded plates caused by substandard production.

Ezebube sought a court order to prevent the FRSC from declaring driving with a faded number plate an offense, imposing fines, or taking punitive action against drivers.

He also requested that the FRSC be ordered to replace faded plates at no additional cost to vehicle owners.

In response, the FRSC’s legal team requested the court dismiss the suit.

However, the court ruled that while the FRSC cannot criminalize the use of faded number plates or impose fines, drivers have a responsibility to request a replacement from the FRSC upon payment of the appropriate fees.

It further restrained FRSC from penalizing drivers for faded number plates and directing the commission to replace the plates upon payment of the necessary fees.

Ahead of the official launch of “Operation Udo Ga Di” (Peace Must Reign) in Anambra State, authorities have successfully neutralized eight suspected gunmen along the Ufuma-Ogbunka route in Orumba North and South Local Government Areas.

This security operation comes just one day before the deployment of the newly formed special security outfit.

Governor Charles Soludo had earlier announced the acquisition of 163 security trucks to enhance the state’s fight against insecurity.

Soludo highlighted that both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches would be used to combat crime effectively.

In a recent briefing, Governor Soludo revealed that a situation room has been established to track criminal activities across all 179 communities in the state’s 21 local government areas.

He also emphasized the role of law enforcement in disrupting organized criminality, especially those using the Biafran struggle as a cover for illegal activities.

“We shall be launching Operation Peace Must Reign in January 2025, with 163 vehicles dedicated to security operations,” Soludo stated.

“We will apply forceful measures to address the security challenges.”

Commenting on the situation, Paulinus Uchendu, a member of the Joint Task Force on Security, explained that the operation had already yielded results.

“We acted swiftly even before the official launch, striking down five of their members at Ufuma. We traced the gunmen through their bush paths and dismantled two of their camps,” Uchendu confirmed.

He noted that many of the gunmen fled with gunshot wounds.

Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, expressed confidence in continued success.

“We are optimistic about more positive outcomes. The collaboration between the state government and security agencies has been invaluable, and we are committed to fighting crime relentlessly,” Ikenga affirmed.

With the launch of Operation Udo Ga Di imminent, Anambra residents can expect heightened security measures aimed at restoring peace and stability throughout the region.