Author: straightnewsng.com

Popular Nigerian public affairs analyst, Dr. Wisdom Enang says Nigerian Tax Reform Bills pose grave threat to the principles of true federalism in the country.  Enang said though the Federal Government will promote economic growth, the bills would undermine the fiscal autonomy of the Nigerian states. Since the advent of the 1999 democratic governance in the country, successive administrations including President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressive Congress (APC) have been promising to practise true federalism. Also read: Senate suspends debate on Tinubu’s tax reform bills  Though the bills continue to generate controversy and have undergone second reading in the Senate, deliberations…

By Straightnews The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, have congratulated the Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on his 62nd birthday. This is as Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, equally felicitated Senator Akpabio, on his 62nd birthday marked Monday December 9. Speaker Abbas described Senator Akpabio as a successful politician and an experienced lawmaker, saying the President of the Senate remains one of the few Nigerians to have reached the peak of both executive and legislative arms of the government at the state and federal levels. Abbas noted…

By Akakan Umoh A Magistrate Court in Uyo Magisterial District of Akwa Ibom has dismissed the false information case brought against Senior Legislative Assistant to the Nigerian Senate President and a licensed surveyor in the state. Consequently, the court has discharged and acquitted Ubokobong Udoworen, an aide to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Akanimo Udom Udondon, a licensed surveyor. The Akwa Ibom Police Command had arrested and detained the duo over alleged ‘raising of false alarm’ on Monday, April 22, 2024. Also read Court grants bail to Akpabio’s aide, surveyor in Akwa Ibom Alleged forgery: Court rejects man’s…

A classified US diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks has revealed allegations of a bribery scandal involving Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, and prominent lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola. The document posted by former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore alleged that the duo influenced a 2004 Court of Appeal ruling to favour then Adamawa State Governor Boni Haruna, keeping him in office. The recent revelation comes amidst criticisms following the arrest of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi. Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian police in Lagos on defamation charges after he criticized Babalola in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. Also…

Dethroned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with his family has found solace in Moscow, capital of Russia. This is as Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies on Sunday, December 8, adding that a deal has been done to ensure the safety of Russian military bases, including a strategically important naval facility in Tartous. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said earlier, that Assad had left Syria and given ‘orders’ for a peaceful transfer of power, after rebel fighters raced into Damascus unopposed on Sunday, ending nearly six decades of his family’s iron-fisted rule. “Syrian President Assad…

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have k!lled three suspected kidnappers during exchange of gunfire in a criminal hideout, following the rescue of a lawyer, Emmanuel Ubengama and his niece. Ubengama, a director at the Ministry of Justice, Abak Local Government Area outstation, and his niece were abducted last Wednesday evening, December 4. It was gathered that the hoodlums had laid ambush for the duo along the Abak–Ikot Abasi Road, where they swooped on them on their way back to Abak, after visiting the children in school. According to report, the matter was immediately reported to the police…

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has felicitated John Mahama, who is expected to win the Ghana’s December 7 presidential election. According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian president spoke with Mr Mahama on telephone on Sunday to congratulate him on his expected victory. Mr Mahama’s opponent, Mahamudu Bawumia, had earlier conceded defeat and congratulated the opposition candidate. However, the Electoral Commission of Ghana has yet to officially declare Mr Mahama the winner, as results collation is still ongoing across the country. Mr Bawumia’s concession speech has, however, helped to ease tensions in the country. Also read…

President Bashar al-Assad fled from Damascus on Sunday, after Syrian rebels abruptly ended his family’s decades of autocratic rule and more than 13 years of civil war. Apart from overthrowing Assad from power, the Islamist rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in Syria in the heart of the region – allies who had propped up Assad during critical periods in the war but were distracted by other crises recently. The rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments. Also read Syrian toddler survives earthquake, but mother and siblings…

By Straightnews As pressure mounts on South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with #Ramaphosamustgo trends to quit the prime position over announcement of a five-year visa policy for Nigerians, he remains adamant. Ramaphosa, barring Xynophobic attacks on foreigners, announced simplified visa processes aimed at facilitating travel for Nigerian business people and tourists. The move, aimed at boosting economic and tourism activities, was announced during the 11th Session of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission in Cape Town on December 3. Also read End xenophobic attacks, Clergyman tells Ramaphosa Ramaphosa Re-Elected South Africa’s President After Coalition Omicron: Fears mount on Ramaphosa’s Visit to…

After sanctioning them over various acts of misconduct, the Police Service Commission has approved the dismissal of 18 senior officers and the demotion of 19 others. Head of Press and Public Relations at the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, stated this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. According to the statement, the Commission, at a Plenary Meeting held in Abuja, took decisions concerning 109 outstanding disciplinary issues, along with 23 appeals and petitions, including 13 court rulings that required adherence. “After rigorous consideration of the pending disciplinary matters before the Commission, it approved the dismissal of 19 senior Police Officers. Also…