The Senate has directed its joint committee on security to investigate the sudden withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, shortly before bandits launched an attack.

The committee is expected to report its findings within two weeks.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Senate Deputy Leader, Lola Ashiru during Wednesday’s plenary, titled “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger: Call for Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Intervention.”

The upper chamber also called for a probe into the circumstances surrounding the killing of Brig-Gen. Musa Uba and resolved to dissolve its standing committees on National Security, Intelligence, and the Air Force, with a view to reconstituting them.

The Senate leadership was instructed to meet President Bola Tinubu to brief him on the resolutions.

The Senate observed a one-minute silence in memory of the victims of the attack.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau noted that insecurity across the country had increased following statements by former US President Donald Trump suggesting possible foreign military intervention to address the perceived genocide of Christians in Nigeria.

“Since then, the spate of terrorist activities has increased, showing that those behind these heinous crimes do not love our country,” he said, urging the deployment of technology to counter such threats.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele added, “What is important is that many kidnapped persons from Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger have regained their freedom. At what cost, many Nigerians wonder.

While some claim the government negotiated for their release, the official position is that no ransom was paid.

Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seeking a mutually agreed date to honour its invitation over an alleged $14.8m fraud.

Sylva, in a letter he personally signed and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, faulted the commission’s move to declare him wanted, saying he had never shunned any lawful invitation.

The letter, dated November 24 and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26, stated that he was currently receiving urgent medical care for a “life-threatening condition.”

He said he was consulting his medical team to determine whether he could temporarily suspend treatment to appear before the commission.

“In view of the foregoing, I most humbly request that a mutually agreed date be set, subject to medical clearance, to enable me appear physically and formally,” he wrote.

“I trust that the objective of your invitation is not to unalive, but to genuinely investigate an alleged crime. For only the living can appropriately, fully and responsibly respond to any allegation, which I firmly and respectfully deny.”

Sylva recalled recent events that had put him, his family, and associates under pressure, beginning with “an unverified accusation” linking him to an alleged plot to undermine the authority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He noted that the matter escalated into a military raid on his Abuja residence, during which several persons, including his drivers, security aides and domestic staff, were arrested and remain in detention.

“While still grappling with the emotional and psychological strain of those events, I was on Monday, November 10, 2025, publicly declared wanted by your esteemed agency over an alleged $14.8m fraud,” he said.

Sylva insisted he had previously honoured an EFCC invitation in December 2024 in relation to the same matter, after which he was granted administrative bail on self-recognition and told he would be contacted again if needed.

“To the best of my knowledge and belief, no further invitation or correspondence was issued to me thereafter,” he wrote, saying it was “deeply surprising and profoundly unsettling” to learn through a public announcement that he had been declared wanted.

He also rejected claims that he jumped bail, stating that “no such incident occurred, nor was any such bail condition ever violated.”

Sylva said the recent actions against him may create “a public impression of political witch-hunt,” adding that he has appeared to be “a target since the beginning of this administration.”

Sylva, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, has recently been linked to a rumoured aborted military coup.

His Abuja home was raided by operatives believed to be from military intelligence, and he was subsequently declared wanted by the EFCC.

During the raid, his younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, and his driver were reportedly arrested.

His Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru, confirmed the raid but denied Sylva’s involvement in any coup plot.

He accused unnamed politicians of orchestrating mischief because they view the former governor as a threat to their ambitions.

Bokoru also criticised the EFCC for declaring Sylva wanted, saying he was never invited before the announcement.

The new Nigerian Tax Act, which comes into effect on January 1, 2026, has been hailed as containing reforms capable of transforming the nation’s economy, promoting equity among the populace, improving the financial capabilities of low and medium class workers while substantially bridging Nigeria’s age-long infrastructural gap.

To enforce compliance and effective implementation, some guidelines, including penalties for flouting the laws, have been put in place. Some of the penalties have been outlined below.

Failure to register

N50,000 for the first month of default and N25,000 for each subsequent month Failure to file returns VAT Returns.

N100,000 in the first month in which the failure occurs and N50,000 for each subsequent month Failure to keep books.

For a company, N50,000

Failure to grant access for the deployment of technology

N1,000,000 for the first day of default and N10,000 for each subsequent day of default.

Failure to use fiscalisation system

N200,000 plus 100% of tax due and interest at the prevailing CBN rate per annum.

Failure to deduct tax

40% of the amount not deducted

Failure to make attribution

N100,000 penalty

Failure to remit tax deducted at source or self-account

For failure to remit tax deducted is to pay the amount deducted, collected or withheld but not remitted. And administrative penalty of 10% per annum, and the interest at the prevailing CBN monetary policy rate.

For self-account under this act is liable to pay the tax not self accounted for, an administrative penalty of 10% per annum of the amount not self accounted for, an interest at the prevailing CBN monetary policy rate.

A person convicted of any of the offenses under this section shall be liable to imprisonment up to three years or a fine of not less than the principal amount due plus penalty of not more than 50% of the sum or both.

Failure to attend to demands, request or notices

N100,000 in the first day of default and N10,000 for every subsequent day where the default continues.

Any one who does not provide requested tax information, documents or records within the required time will pay an administrative penalty of N200,000 for the first day of default and N10,000 for each subsequent day where the failure continues.

A person who fails to or refuses to comply with obligations to submit information relating to legal arrangement, notice, rules, regulations, guidelines or circulars issued by the services or any other relevant tax authority is liable to an administrative penalty of N1,000,000 for the first day of default, in addition to 10,000 for each subsequent day of failure, other administrative penalties may apply as stated in any related notice, rule, regulation, guideline or circular.

A former student of Eemaan Foundation College, Osogbo in Osun State Master Ajisafe Olamilekan, got the 1st prize of the West African Examination Council National Distinction/ Merit Award for the year 2024.

He clinched the award with eight A1, in subjects, including English language and Mathematics and a total-score of 580.8535.

The second prize went to Miss Onovo Eberechukwu, from Louisville Girls High School, Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State with eight A1  including English language and Mathematics and a total-score of 576.2304.

Also Mba Chibuike Mac-Dinald of Grundtvig International Secondary Oba Anambra State got the third prize with eight A1, including English language and Mathematics and a total-score of 575.703

The trio received the award on Thursday in Umuahia the Abia State capital during the 63rd annual meeting of the Nigeria National Committee of the West African Examination Council.

The Chairman of the Nigeria National Committee of WAEC, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, announced that the Council had recorded ground-breaking progress with the introduction of the Computer Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates.

Abdulkadir stated that the move positions WAEC as the first examining body in Nigeria to begin the digital examination transition at such scale.

She said, “No child would be disadvantaged by the new system, with extensive training and pilot tests already underway to familiarise students with digital response formats.

On concerns regarding curriculum adjustments, she said, “I want to assure school administrators and parents that candidates will retain the flexibility to register combinations that support academic progression.

“WAEC has extended the timeline for uploading Continuous Assessment Scores to ensure accurate records for the 2026 examination cycle.

The Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, revealed that the Committee’s meeting remains the Council’s highest policy forum in the country, entrusted with shaping decisions that affect millions of young people.

Dangut reaffirmed WAEC’s commitment to deepening technology driven processes, including digital marking, electronic certificate management, the use of quick response codes, e learning platforms and real time service portals that expand access to the Council’s services.

The Abia State Governor Alex Otti welcomed the delegates, noting the state’s steady reforms in school infrastructure, teacher capacity and learning outcomes.

Otti, who was represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, described the meeting as more than a statutory engagement, but a rare opportunity for stakeholders to reflect, collaborate and strengthen the future of millions of Nigerian learners.

Other outstanding students and schools across Nigeria received national recognition during the ceremony.

The WAEC Endowment Fund Book Prizes, valued at five thousand dollars, were presented to the top performing schools in Abia State in the 2024 WASSCE.

President Bola Tinubu on Monday rejected the growing reliance on private military and security contractors in conflict zones in Africa, warning that their involvement undermines sovereignty and complicates counter-terrorism operations across the continent.

Speaking during the first plenary session on ’Peace, Security, Governance and Multilateralism’ at the 7th African Union–European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola, Tinubu said peace efforts must be led and owned by African governments rather than outsourced to private actors with opaque mandates.

President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, told heads of state and EU leaders: “We stand resolutely against the use of private military and security companies in African conflicts, as their presence often complicates resolution efforts and undermines state sovereignty.”

Tinubu argued that Africa’s security challenges, from terrorism to transnational organised crime, require coordinated state-driven responses, not parallel forces that weaken command structures.

He said Nigeria’s position aligns with its long-standing approach to regional peace missions under ECOWAS and the AU.

The Nigerian leader also cautioned that the global shift away from multilateralism has created a more fragile security environment, noting that the EU remains one of the few platforms still engaging Africa on a “continent-to-continent basis, anchored on mutual respect and shared aspirations.”

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening peace and democratic stability across the continent, saying the country is “more prepared than ever” to work with the EU to build “a stable, just and prosperous world.”

Tinubu also intensified Nigeria’s bid to secure permanent seats with veto-wielding authority in the United Nations Security Council for Africa, insisting that a comprehensive reform of the global governance system is long overdue.

He tasked the EU with co-creating peace and security initiatives alongside its African partners, anchored on African-led frameworks, as a pathway to achieving sustainable stability across the continent.

Tinubu disclosed that over 250,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals had surrendered in early 2025 following the Nigerian Government’s kinetic and non-kinetic measures.

The President stressed that the challenges of armed conflict, illicit weapons, climate pressures, irregular migration, and political instability across Africa now demand stronger cooperation.

“It is time for Africa to occupy permanent seats on the UN Security Council, with all attendant privileges, including the veto. Genuine text-based negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiations framework must now commence.

“It is our hope that EU Member States will support Africa’s long-standing and legitimate call for reform of the United Nations,” he stated.

He noted that addressing these challenges requires renewed AU–EU focus on preventive diplomacy, inclusive governance, and long-term investment in people and infrastructure.

The Nigerian leader acknowledged that the EU has remained one of the AU’s most reliable partners since the creation of the African Peace and Security Architecture in 2002.

He also recalled that Nigeria’s experience has shown that regional instability, if left unchecked, fuels terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and transnational organised crime.

Addressing this, the President stated that his administration had adopted a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin, which, according to him, remains an effective model of African-led cooperative security.

He further noted that a major component of Nigeria’s strategy continues to yield positive security outcomes, adding: “As of early 2025, over 120,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals, including family members, have surrendered.”

Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability is further reinforced by the recent Sea-Lift Agreement between the Nigerian Navy and the AU Standby Force, enhancing Africa’s rapid deployment capabilities for peace operations and humanitarian support,” he added.

Furthermore, the President commended the EU’s commitment to restoring peace in the Sahel, while recognising Europe’s understandable concern over irregular migration, much of which originates from ungoverned spaces shaped by insecurity.

On the security situation, the President called for an EU initiative anchored on African-led frameworks and regional ownership to drive positive outcomes.

He said, “However, recent experience has shown that externally driven initiatives, however well-intentioned, cannot succeed at pace without strong regional ownership and a grounded understanding of local dynamics.

“Peace and security initiatives must therefore be co-created with African partners and anchored in African-led frameworks.”

On irregular migration, the President advised that the issue must be addressed in a manner that acknowledges its deep economic and demographic drivers, as criminalising mobility has only compounded insecurity across the continent and beyond.

Instead, he proposed structured labour pathways, such as Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps for cooperation within the Global South and Business Process Outsourcing, where Nigeria’s highly skilled youthful population can contribute to Europe’s labour needs without resorting to irregular migration.

“Seasonal mobility has underpinned West African civilisation for centuries the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement simply acknowledges this reality.

“Our joint task is to convert mobility into safe, orderly, and productive pathways that benefit both continents,” he said.

Similarly, the President frowned on the resurgence of Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa, highlighting that it undermines the democratic foundations upon which the African Union was built.

The trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on allegations of cybercrime was on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja following the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar.

The matter, earlier fixed for hearing, has now been rescheduled for February 4, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

The case had also failed to proceed on October 21, after activists led by Mr. Omoyele Sowore staged a protest at the court premises demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, recently convicted of terrorism offences.

Justice Umar had initially fixed October 21 for hearing after proceedings were stalled on September 22 owing to a preliminary objection raised by the defence.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on six counts filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar.

The charges arose from petitions by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and a former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.

She was granted bail, and the matter was adjourned to September 22 for trial.

At the resumed sitting on that date, as prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, prepared to call the first witness, after a television screen had been mounted in the courtroom, but defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), objected to the commencement of trial.

He informed the court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction, alleging an abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

He also complained that he had not been served with the statements of the prosecution witnesses.

Although Kaswe urged the court to proceed, Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first respond to the objection, stressing that he intended to determine the issue before taking further steps in the matter.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and injurious information via electronic means with intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and breach public order.

The senator is alleged to have, on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, accused Akpabio of directing ex-governor Bello to have her killed, an allegation she is also said to have repeated in a television interview.

The charges are brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, has fixed February 19, 2026 for final arguments in the N5bn defamation suit filed by the Department of State Services against human rights organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.

The suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/4547/24, was filed by DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele and has  SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, as defendants.

The case stemmed from SERAP’s alarm of an alleged invasion of its office by the DSS.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, the 2nd defendant, Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, opened the organisation’s defence after the court granted a housekeeping application for amendment of process

Oluwadare, testifying as PW2, adopted his earlier statement on oath and provided further clarifications regarding SERAP’s work and the alleged invasion of its Abuja office.

He reaffirmed that SERAP is a registered non-governmental organisation dedicated to advancing transparency, accountability, and social justice in Nigeria.

He dismissed suggestions that the organisation exists solely to criticise the government, stressing that its mandate is to promote and protect human rights, including socio-economic rights, in the public interest.

Oluwadare told the court that harassment and intimidation of civic actors pose a serious threat to SERAP’s work, particularly its efforts to hold public institutions accountable.

He also confirmed that SERAP operates with support from both local and international donors.

Under cross-examination, Oluwadare maintained that DSS operatives were present at the organisation’s premises, prompting SERAP to issue public alerts.

He said multiple staff members—including a front-desk officer, a security guard, and another lawyer—reported the presence of the officials.

While acknowledging that no staff member was physically assaulted and no doors were broken, Oluwadare explained that the manner of entry and the presence of unmarked vehicles raised serious concerns, which informed SERAP’s public statements.

He further confirmed that the organisation possesses CCTV footage of the incident and insisted that the tweets issued reflected the seriousness of what staff observed that day.

After cross-examination, counsel for the claimant, Oluwagmileke Kehinde, informed the court that both parties had concluded trial and requested a date for filing and adoption of final written addresses.