Echotitbits – Nigeria News

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  • ADC asks Tinubu to halt tax reforms amid claims final law was altered

    ADC asks Tinubu to halt tax reforms amid claims final law was altered

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-20 09:00:00

    Reporting by Punch indicates the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is demanding a suspension of Nigeria’s newly introduced tax laws, alleging that key sections were changed after National Assembly passage and presidential assent.

    The party frames the claim as a constitutional issue—arguing that post-assent changes would undermine legislative process and separation of powers.

    ADC says it wants a full investigation to determine who handled the alleged edits and whether prosecution should follow if wrongdoing is established.

    Daily Post said the ADC urged suspension over “alleged forged provisions,” while TheCable’s coverage captured ADC’s warning that “It is time to rethink our tax laws.”

    Echotitbits take:
    Whether proven or not, legitimacy is everything for compliance. Watch for certified “as-passed” copies, side-by-side comparisons with gazetted versions, and clear implementation guidance before take-off.

    Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/adc-demands-suspension-of-tax-laws-over-modification-allegations/)
    Punch 2025-12-20

  • Tinubu arrives Lagos for holidays as end-of-year engagements begin

    Tinubu arrives Lagos for holidays as end-of-year engagements begin

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-20 18:00:00

    According to Punch, President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Lagos to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays after official visits to Borno and Bauchi.

    The report says the President was received at the Murtala Muhammed Airport by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state officials, marking the start of his end-of-year engagements in the state.

    Beyond the holiday optics, the visit doubles as a political homecoming for a former Lagos governor and a chance to hold quiet consultations as 2025 wraps up.

    The Punch account also notes that Tinubu is expected to attend select social and cultural events during the period, including the Eyo Festival later in the week.

    Channels Television wrote, “President Bola Tinubu is in Lagos for the Yuletide,” while TheCable noted the President would “begin a three-state visit to Borno, Bauchi and Lagos.”

    Echotitbits take:
    Lagos trips at year-end are rarely “just holidays.” Watch for who gets seen, who gets meetings, and whether any policy or political signals drop quietly—especially as blocs position for 2026.

    Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/tinubu-arrives-lagos-for-end-of-year-holidays/?amp=)
    Punch 2025-12-20

  • Anambra teen wins healthy cooking contest as Soludo’s programme pushes nutrition in schools

    Anambra teen wins healthy cooking contest as Soludo’s programme pushes nutrition in schools

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-20 09:45:00

    In a report published by The Punch, a student of St. Charles College, Onitsha, Ikechukwu Ifechukwu, won Anambra’s 2025 Healthy Living Cooking Competition linked to First Lady Dr Nonye Soludo’s school programme.

    The event in Awka brought students from all 21 local government areas to compete on healthy meal preparation under time limits, with judging based on hygiene, taste, presentation and service.

    Organisers say the aim is to strengthen nutrition awareness and practical life skills among young people, while also challenging gender stereotypes around cooking.

    Daily Post described the outcome as a male student who “emerged winner” of the cooking competition in Anambra. The Punch quoted Mrs Soludo saying the initiative “defies stereotypes and traditional misconceptions,” adding that schoolboys have now won for two straight editions.

    Echotitbits take:
    It’s lifestyle content with a policy edge: nutrition habits built in school can scale into public health outcomes. Watch for whether the programme expands, how schools track nutrition outcomes, and whether local foods and hygiene education become more visible in the curriculum.

    Source: The Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/anambra-college-student-wins-soludos-cooking-competition/)
    The Punch 2025-12-20

  • Zelensky urges stronger US pressure on Russia as new talks format is floated

    Zelensky urges stronger US pressure on Russia as new talks format is floated

    Photo Credit: The Punch

    2025-12-20 19:15:00

    Reporting by The Punch indicates Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says only the United States has enough leverage to pressure Russia toward ending the war, as diplomats hold renewed discussions on possible talks.

    Zelensky’s comments reflect Kyiv’s insistence that negotiations must be backed by meaningful pressure—sanctions, security guarantees, and sustained military support—rather than vague concessions or frozen conflict lines.

    The statement comes amid signals of a US-proposed talks format that could include Ukraine, the US and Russia, with possible European participation, though Zelensky voiced skepticism about quick breakthroughs.

    Reuters quoted Zelensky calling for pressure, saying, “America must clearly say: if not diplomacy, then there will be full pressure.” AFP also reported Zelensky urged Washington to “put more pressure on Russia,” linking his remarks to fresh talks in Miami.

    Echotitbits take:
    Ukraine is signalling that any deal must be enforceable and backed by deterrence. Watch the next US steps on sanctions, arms deliveries, and whether the proposed talks format becomes formalised with agreed agendas and timelines.

    Source: The Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/zelensky-says-only-us-can-pressure-russia-to-end-war/)
    The Punch 2025-12-20

  • US jury convicts Nigerian man in $7.5m charity fraud case as DOJ outlines sentence exposure

    US jury convicts Nigerian man in $7.5m charity fraud case as DOJ outlines sentence exposure

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-20 14:20:00

    According to The Punch, a Nigerian national, Olusegun Adejorin, was convicted in a US federal court of defrauding two charities of more than $7.5 million, with prosecutors citing wire fraud, identity theft and unauthorised computer access.

    The report says the scheme involved compromising email accounts, impersonating staff, and manipulating withdrawal approvals to divert funds to accounts not linked to the charities.

    US authorities say Adejorin was extradited from Ghana, and sentencing is expected in 2026, with potential penalties that include lengthy prison terms for multiple counts.

    In its press release, the US Department of Justice said the defendant “faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each of the five counts of wire fraud.” TheCable also reported the conviction and noted he was found guilty after a six-day trial for “wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and unauthorised access to a protected computer.”

    Echotitbits take:
    Expect NGOs and payment providers to tighten verification and anti-fraud controls, which can increase friction for legitimate transactions. Watch for sentencing, restitution orders, and whether investigators identify co-conspirators or linked networks.

    Source: The Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/court-convicts-nigerian-of-7-5m-charity-fraud-in-us/)
    The Punch 2025-12-20

  • US immigration freeze hits Nigerians as new travel-ban list expands to 19 countries

    US immigration freeze hits Nigerians as new travel-ban list expands to 19 countries

    Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons — Flag of the United States
    2025-12-20 11:10:00

    In a report published by The Punch, a US official said the Trump administration has directed USCIS to suspend green card and citizenship applications for nationals of newly added countries on an expanded travel-ban list, including Nigeria.

    The development is tied to a security-driven review of screening and vetting, with affected applicants facing uncertainty over processing timelines and eligibility across immigration categories.

    For Nigerian families, students and professionals, the immediate impact is a backlog effect—cases already in the pipeline may slow as adjudications are paused or subjected to heightened scrutiny.

    NPR reported USCIS would pause reviewing pending applications for green cards, citizenship, or asylum for immigrants from the listed countries, noting it “would pause reviewing all pending applications.” Reuters also reported the policy shift as part of a broader tightening, describing it as a “pause” tied to national security screening.

    Echotitbits take:
    Diaspora communities should expect rapidly evolving guidance. Watch for official USCIS notices, legal challenges, and any changes to country lists or categories—plus what US consulates communicate about downstream impacts.

    Source: The Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/full-list-us-stops-nigerians-others-from-applying-for-green-card-citizenship/)
    The Punch 2025-12-20

  • EFCC refinery investigation drags on as Nigerians press for named suspects and charges

    EFCC refinery investigation drags on as Nigerians press for named suspects and charges

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-21 00:40:00

    Reporting by The Punch indicates the EFCC’s probe into alleged mismanagement of billions allocated to state refinery rehabilitation remains unresolved months after invitations and reported recoveries, with no suspects arraigned.

    The report says investigators are looking at how funds for Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries were spent without commensurate improvements in output, as civil society groups warn delays deepen perceptions of selective enforcement.

    In the piece, advocacy groups argue prolonged silence can weaken public confidence and create room for interference, while the economic cost of non-performing refineries remains a recurring policy sore point.

    BusinessDay reported the EFCC opened investigations into alleged abuse of office and misappropriation tied to refinery funds, describing it as “an investigation into alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.” The Punch also quoted an anti-corruption advocate urging action, saying, “It baffles us that nothing has been heard from the EFCC after over six months.”

    Echotitbits take:
    The credibility marker is court action: charges filed, defendants named, and a clear recovery/prosecution track. Watch for any formal arraignments, asset recovery disclosures, and whether NNPCL’s governance reforms alter how such projects are procured and audited.

    Source: The Punch — December 21, 2025 (https://punchng.com/nnpc-refinery-probe-drags-as-efcc-keeps-mum-on-suspects/)
    The Punch 2025-12-21

  • Nigeria’s gas supply rises in November as regulator cites higher plant utilisation

    Nigeria’s gas supply rises in November as regulator cites higher plant utilisation

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-14 00:10:00

    According to The Punch, Nigeria’s average daily gas supply climbed to 4.684 billion standard cubic feet per day in November 2025, up from October levels, based on operational data released by the NMDPRA.

    The regulator attributed the improvement to higher utilisation across major processing hubs and steadier volumes, including export supply from Nigeria LNG in Bonny.

    Rising gas supply can support power generation and industrial activity, but sustained gains will depend on infrastructure reliability and getting gas to priority domestic users.

    MoneyCentral reported the factsheet shows domestic gas supply “hit 4.684 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bscf/day).” The Punch similarly stated the figure was “4.684 billion standard cubic feet per day” for November.

    Echotitbits take:
    The next test is whether higher volumes translate into better electricity and industrial output—not just export stability. Watch monthly NMDPRA data, NLNG feedgas stability, and any pipeline constraint updates.

    Source: The Punch — December 14, 2025 (https://punchng.com/gas-supply-improved-in-nov-says-nmdpra/)
    The Punch 2025-12-14

  • CBN tightens rules for foreign-card withdrawals as banks told to enable seamless use

    CBN tightens rules for foreign-card withdrawals as banks told to enable seamless use

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-21 06:45:00

    Figures cited by The Nation show the Central Bank of Nigeria has directed banks and non-bank acquirers to configure ATMs, POS and virtual terminals to accept foreign-issued cards while applying stronger authentication above set thresholds.

    The circular instructs institutions to implement multi-factor authentication for foreign card withdrawals and online transactions above $200 per day, $500 per week, and $1,000 per month, and to maintain high system availability for smoother processing.

    Banks are also told to clearly disclose exchange rates and charges before completing transactions, and to strengthen transaction monitoring and KYC/AML controls for merchants handling foreign card payments.

    Premium Times reported the circular requires institutions to ensure terminals are configured to accept international cards and maintain availability to avoid failures, noting users should be shown terms before completion. Vanguard quoted the CBN directive: “implement multi-factor authentication for all withdrawals and online transactions exceeding $200 per day, $500 per week, and $1,000 per month.”

    Echotitbits take:
    For diaspora visitors and tourists, this could reduce declined transactions—if banks implement it cleanly. Watch for short-term disruption (higher declines during recalibration), plus how quickly institutions standardise FX rate disclosures and complaint-resolution timelines.

    Source: The Nation — December 21, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/cbn-asks-banks-to-configure-atms-pos-terminals-for-foreign-card-transactions/)
    The Nation 2025-12-21

  • Reps set up committee to verify alleged changes in Nigeria’s gazetted tax laws

    Reps set up committee to verify alleged changes in Nigeria’s gazetted tax laws

    Photo Credit: The Punch

    2025-12-18 10:00:00

    In an update published by Vanguard, Nigeria’s House of Representatives has constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to examine allegations that gazetted tax laws differ from versions passed by lawmakers.

    The House says the issue goes to legislative integrity and public confidence, since agencies and taxpayers rely on gazetted texts for implementation and compliance.

    Committee members are expected to review records including Votes and Proceedings, harmonised versions adopted by both chambers, and the gazetted copies now in circulation.

    Premium Times reported the House was reacting to claims the gazetted laws “did not reflect what the National Assembly debated and approved.” Vanguard quoted the lawmaker who raised the issue saying, “I was here, I gave my vote and it was counted, and I am seeing something completely different.”

    Echotitbits take:
    If the committee confirms discrepancies, expect calls for corrections before full implementation to avoid litigation and compliance confusion. Watch for the committee’s report, any official certified copies, and whether timelines for rollout shift.

    Source: Vanguard — December 18, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/reps-constitute-committee-to-probe-alleged-alterations-in-tax-laws/)
    Vanguard 2025-12-18