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Tinubu axes two N’Assembly bills over policy clash

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12 months ago

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President Bola Tinubu has withheld assent to two recently passed bills from the National Assembly, warning that certain provisions could weaken fiscal discipline, conflict with existing laws, and create dangerous precedents in public finance management.

This was disclosed in the President’s letters read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at Tuesday’s plenary.

The rejected bills are the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (Establishment) Bill, 2025; and the National Library Trust Fund (Establishment, etc.) Amendment Bill, 2025.

While acknowledging their broad objectives, Tinubu said several clauses were inconsistent with federal fiscal and administrative principles.

On the Transport Technology Bill, the President faulted provisions introducing new levies, unregulated borrowing, and investment of public funds in securities, moves he said could create opaque revenue channels and open avenues for misuse.

He particularly cited Section 18(4a), which proposed that the institute be funded through “one per cent of the freight on every import and export,” warning that the levy, introduced without Federal Executive Council approval, would overburden trade and sidestep the national budgetary process.

Tinubu also objected to Section 20, which empowered the institute to borrow up to N50m without presidential consent, describing it as “a loophole that could enable repeated borrowing below the threshold to evade oversight.”

Sections 21 and 23, which allowed the institute to invest government-appropriated funds, were equally criticised as “fiscally dangerous.”

“These provisions, if allowed, would not only undermine fiscal discipline but also create opportunities for financial abuse.”

For these reasons, I withhold my assent to the bill,” Tinubu wrote.

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In a separate letter rejecting the National Library Trust Fund Amendment Bill, the President said that though the bill’s intentions were laudable, several sections clashed with existing federal laws and policy frameworks.

He cited provisions on agency funding, taxation of national entities, staff remuneration, and tenure or age limits as potentially “unsustainable and against the public interest.”

“For these reasons, I cannot grant presidential assent to the bill in its present form. I urge the Senate to revisit and address the identified issues,” the letter read.

After reading both correspondences, Akpabio commended Tinubu’s “diligence in reviewing every legislation” and directed relevant committees to rework the affected bills for further legislative action.”

“This demonstrates the seriousness with which Mr. President is reviewing every legislation we pass. It is now our responsibility to carefully address the issues he has raised,” Akpabio said.

The Senate subsequently referred the Transport Technology Bill to the Committee of the Whole and the Library Trust Fund Amendment Bill to the Committees on Special Duties and Establishment and Public Service Matters for further scrutiny.

The withholding of assent to the proposed legislations signalled yet another instance of the executive’s closer scrutiny of legislative outputs under the current dispensation.

The rejection underscores Tinubu’s insistence on tightening fiscal control and aligning legislative proposals with broader economic reform priorities under his Renewed Hope administration.

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Public officers are stealing Nigeria’s money every minute – EFCC boss

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September 26, 2026

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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says public officers steal funds every minute.

Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi.

He stated that the anti-graft agency receives over 20,000 corruption petitions every year, describing the scale of the theft detailed in many cases as shocking.

“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files you will weep.

“The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders,” Olukoyede said.

The EFCC boss noted that some public officers assume office with less than ₦100,000 in their accounts, but within three years, the agency traces millions of dollars to them.

He added that some individuals acquire hundreds of houses while in office, warning that corruption is crippling the nation.

Olukoyede stressed that public officers must be held accountable for their time in office, emphasizing that transparency must remain the guiding standard in public service.

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VIDEO: Police identify officer in viral video saying Obi can never be President

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5 hours ago

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September 26, 2026

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested an officer who appeared in a viral video making inappropriate remarks about Peter Obi and Igbo people while travelling on public transport.

The officer who has been identified as INSP. Osumah Frank, was filmed saying Obi or any Igbo person can never become President of Nigeria.

In a statement released today September 25, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola said the command has commenced appropriate disciplinary action against the officer in line with established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

Abimbola stated that the statements made by the officer were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the position, views or official disposition of the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.

She added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, has reiterated the position of the command that all its personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times. She further reaffirmed that wearing the Police uniform comes with a responsibility to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Force, and that the Command will not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the Police.

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Court rejects suit seeking fresh police investigation into late singer Mohbad’s death

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5 hours ago

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September 26, 2026

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a fresh investigation into the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the case filed by the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation in a judgment delivered on Thursday, ruling that the foundation lacked the legal capacity to institute the suit.

The judge also described the application as speculative and lacking sufficient merit, noting that the foundation failed to produce the original police investigation report to support its claim that the earlier investigation was inadequate.

Justice Omotosho further cautioned lawyers handling ongoing cases against discussing matters before the court during media interviews or on social media, describing such conduct as professional misconduct.

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