Reporting by The Punch says the Kano NSCDC command removed a divisional officer after a suspect died in custody, indicating internal disciplinary action alongside an inquiry. (more…)
Tag: rule of law
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Police free six vigilantes after Army arrest on Edo road amid banditry fears
In a report by Punch, police in Kwara said they received and released six vigilante members earlier arrested by the Army, amid tensions over community security efforts around the Auchi–Ikpeshi road axis.
The case highlights a recurring friction point: informal security groups often fill protection gaps, but can be viewed by formal forces as unauthorized or prone to abuse—triggering clampdowns and community backlash.
Punch’s account suggests the police framed the release as procedural, but the underlying pressure remains as communities seek quick protection amid insecurity.
Expect the debate to expand: who supervises vigilantes, what rules govern their operations, and how communities support security without creating parallel armed structures.
Daily Post also reported police “freed six vigilantes arrested by Army,” while Radio Nigeria similarly carried the update that police “free six vigilante members arrested by Army.”
Echotitbits take: Vigilante frameworks need clarity—registration, training, reporting lines, and accountability. Otherwise, every incident becomes a turf war and criminals exploit the confusion. Watch for states formalising community policing units with enforceable oversight.
Source: Punch – https://punchng.com/banditry-police-free-six-vigilantes-arrested-by-army/ January 7, 2026
Punch January 7, 2026Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers
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Tinubu insists new national tax laws start January 1 despite calls for delay over “gazette” dispute
2026-01-02 09:00:00
In a report filed by Reuters, President Bola Tinubu said Nigeria will proceed with implementing new tax laws from January 1, 2026, despite criticism and calls for delay tied to disputes over the gazetted text versus what lawmakers passed.The dispatch notes that opponents have alleged unauthorized insertions and warned about expanded enforcement powers, while the presidency argued there was no substantial issue that should pause the reforms and described the change as a major fiscal reset.
The controversy is unfolding alongside broader reforms, with the government leaning on a tax overhaul as a revenue and efficiency lever.
Validation: TheCable reported legislative voices urging suspension until allegations are resolved, noting the rollout is “scheduled to begin in January.” Reuters quoted Tinubu’s framing of the reform as a “once-in-a-generation” fiscal reset.
Echotitbits take: The reform will be judged by whether it reduces friction (harmonisation, clarity, lower compliance pain) or becomes an enforcement brawl. Watch the implementation guidelines, dispute-resolution mechanics and whether businesses see predictable rules rather than surprise powers.
Source: Reuters — 2025-12-30 (https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-implement-new-tax-laws-january-1-despite-calls-delay-tinubu-says-2025-12-30/)
Reuters 2025-12-30Photo Credit: Reuters
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Court declines bid to halt Nigeria’s new tax laws, keeps January 1 rollout intact
2026-01-01 07:10:00
Reporting by Vanguard indicates an FCT High Court refused to restrain the Federal Government from proceeding with the January 1 implementation timeline for Nigeria’s new tax laws.The suit sought an urgent stop order via an ex-parte request, but the court declined, allowing implementation to proceed while substantive issues remain pending.
The decision lands amid public controversy over the reforms, including claims of discrepancies between passed and gazetted versions.
Reuters separately quoted President Tinubu calling the reforms a “once-in-a-generation” reset and stating “No substantial issue has been established” to justify halting implementation.
Daily Post Nigeria also reported the presidency has “dismissed claims of discrepancies” in the new laws.
Echotitbits take:
For businesses, the immediate risk is compliance uncertainty while litigation continues. Watch for official FAQs, enforcement timelines, and any rapid ‘clean-up’ amendments that resolve document-version disputes.
Source: Vanguard — January 1, 2026 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/court-declines-to-stop-implementation-of-new-tax-laws-adjourns-case-to-jan-9/)
Vanguard 2026-01-01
Photo Credit: Vanguard
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National Assembly responds to outrage over alleged discrepancies in gazetted fiscal laws
2026-01-01 06:45:00
According to The Guardian (Nigeria), the National Assembly issued clarifications on the passage-to-gazette process for major tax and revenue laws after public outrage over alleged discrepancies.In an update published by the outlet, lawmakers positioned the process as orderly while acknowledging rising concerns about transparency and chain-of-custody from passage to publication.
The controversy has amplified calls for clean, verifiable “as passed” texts to support compliance and public trust.
ARISE TV also framed the dispute as a demand for suspension and review over alleged discrepancies between versions passed and versions published.
Other civic and media summaries similarly described the issue as scrutiny over differences between gazetted laws and the texts lawmakers said were approved.
Echotitbits take:
This is a trust test. The clean fix is document transparency: publish side-by-side versions, harmonisation notes, and an audit trail of edits—otherwise compliance could suffer and investment risk perception could rise.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria — December 26, 2025 (https://guardian.ng/news/nass-clarifies-process-on-tax-revenue-acts-amid-outrage/)
The Guardian — 2026-01-01 06:45:00
Photo Credit: The Guardian
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EFCC arraigns Malami, wife, son over alleged ₦8.7bn money laundering
2025-12-31 08:49:00
In a report carried by PUNCH, the EFCC has arraigned former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami alongside his wife and son in an Abuja court over alleged ₦8.7bn money laundering, with proceedings focusing on the agency’s stated charges and the defendants’ responses.
The case is one of the most politically sensitive anti-graft developments of the period, given Malami’s former role at the centre of federal legal and justice architecture.
Beyond courtroom drama, the prosecution’s ability to present clean money trails—and the defence’s ability to challenge them—will shape how the public reads the credibility of the anti-corruption push.
Validation: EFCC said “a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy… and laundering proceeds of unlawful activity.” and Premium Times reported “conspired to disguise the origin of funds… in violation of the Money Laundering… Acts.”
Echotitbits take: This is a test-case for high-profile prosecution quality—paperwork, evidence integrity, and judicial pace. Watch adjournments, bail terms, and whether related asset actions (if any) emerge.
Source: The Punch — 31 December 2025 (https://punchng.com/money-laundering-malami-wife-son-to-spend-new-year-in-prison/)
The Punch 31 December 2025
Photo Credit: The Punch
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Former AGF Malami Arraigned as EFCC Intensifies High-Profile Probes
2025-12-30 16:00:00
In a report by Vanguard, the EFCC arraigned former Attorney‑General Abubakar Malami on money‑laundering allegations tied to claims of asset acquisitions and concealment of funds.
The report said prosecutors outlined an alleged scheme involving co‑defendants and corporate structures used to disguise the origin of money and acquire properties indirectly.
The case is part of a broader anti‑corruption drive targeting former senior officials and testing the strength of Nigeria’s asset‑tracing and prosecution process.
Premium Times reported that the EFCC alleges Malami and others conspired to “disguise the origin of funds” and acquire properties indirectly. TVC News highlighted a specific allegation that the defendants used a company “to conceal the unlawful source of over N1.014 billion.”
Echotitbits take: High‑profile cases rise or fall on evidence discipline and process integrity. Watch the court’s posture on compliance, the asset‑tracing trail, and whether prosecutors keep the case tight enough to survive procedural challenges.
Source: Vanguard — December 30, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/efcc-arraigns-malami-today-for-money-laundering/)
Vanguard 2025-12-30
Photo Credit: Vanguard
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NJC integrity screen drops 34 nominees as judicial recruitment tightens
2025-12-29 09:00:00
In an update published by Punch, the National Judicial Council reportedly shortlisted 28 nominees for Federal High Court appointments while 34 candidates were said to have failed an integrity test under updated recruitment guidelines.The screening reflects an institutional push to reduce the entry of persons of doubtful character into the bench, amid fragile public trust in justice delivery.
The Guardian also reported that “No fewer than 34 lawyers… have failed the integrity test” and were removed from consideration, noting that petitions featured in the eliminations.
If sustained, the reforms could shift incentives—making reputational vetting and petition handling as important as technical competence in judicial appointments.
Punch reported the integrity test filtered out dozens of applicants, while The Guardian wrote, “No fewer than 34 lawyers… have failed the integrity test.”
Echotitbits take: Integrity screening is welcome, but transparency is key. Watch whether NJC clarifies criteria, petition handling timelines and appeal safeguards so the process doesn’t become opaque or politically weaponised.
Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/csp-33-others-fail-judges-integrity-test-njc/ — December 29, 2025
The Punch 2025-12-29Photo Credit: National Judicial Council
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Malaysia’s Najib convicted in fresh fraud case as courts revisit the 1MDB era
Photo Credit: France 24
2025-12-27 06:00:00
According to Punch, a Malaysian court found former prime minister Najib Razak guilty in a fraud case tied to the long‑running fallout from the 1MDB corruption saga.
The report said the verdict adds another layer to Malaysia’s anti‑corruption narrative, where legal outcomes have become intertwined with political realignments and public trust in institutions.
Analysts say international investors watch these cases closely because they influence perceptions of rule‑of‑law stability, enforcement risk, and governance standards in emerging markets.
Echotitbits take:
High‑profile convictions matter, but what counts is consistency: whether enforcement is even‑handed across parties and eras. Watch sentencing, appeal processes, and whether the case triggers broader reforms in procurement and oversight.Source: France 24 — December 26, 2025 (https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20251226-former-malaysian-pm-najib-guilty-of-money-laundering-1mdb-corruption-case)
France 24 December 26, 2025
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House Panel Fast-Tracks Probe Into Alleged “Gazette” Tax-Law Discrepancies
Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-25 10:00:00Reporting by Punch indicates Nigeria’s House of Representatives panel investigating alleged inconsistencies between tax laws passed by lawmakers and versions later gazetted has promised to finish quickly and submit a report without delay.
The panel, chaired by Muktar Betara, was constituted after lawmakers raised concerns that provisions in the gazetted laws may differ materially from what the National Assembly approved—raising questions about legislative integrity and the reliability of statutes being implemented.
The controversy has also drawn political pressure, with Senator Ali Ndume urging President Bola Tinubu to pause implementation of disputed tax reform measures slated for January until independent verification is completed.
Elsewhere, The Guardian reported that the committee pledged to submit its findings once work is concluded, while quoting Taiwo Oyedele calling for patience: “let’s wait for the investigation to establish what indeed happened.” BusinessDay similarly reported the House set up a seven-member committee to investigate “alleged discrepancies” between gazetted tax laws and the versions passed by the National Assembly.
Echotitbits take: This is becoming a credibility test for Nigeria’s fiscal reform push. If the “gazette vs passed copy” gap isn’t resolved transparently, enforcement will face legitimacy challenges, litigation risk, and compliance pushback. Watch for whether the panel publishes a side-by-side reconciliation of disputed clauses—and whether implementation timelines shift.
Source: The Punch — December 25, 2025 (https://punchng.com/house-begins-tax-law-probe-ndume-pushes-for-suspension/?utm_medium=web&utm_source=top-story)
The Punch 2025-12-25