Gbajabiamila holds closed-door meeting with Buhari over cash withdrawal limit, trapped ‘N89trn’ stamp duty – Newstrends
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Gbajabiamila holds closed-door meeting with Buhari over cash withdrawal limit, trapped ‘N89trn’ stamp duty

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Gbajabiamila, Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, discussing the cash withdrawal limits recently introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who was supposed to appear before the House of Representatives on Tuesday, did not honour the invitation, saying he was out of the country.

They also discussed issues related to the 2023 general elections and the alleged N89trn stamp duty controversy at the meeting held at the State House, Abuja.

“There were issues around cashless policy, issues around elections and violence that seem to be erupting here and there are a couple of other very important matters as well,” Gbajabiamila told journalists after the meeting.

The Speaker said the National Assembly has no connection with the task of being pursued by a member of the lower chamber and the Secretary of the dissolved Presidential Committee on Reconciliation and Recovery of Stamp Duties Revenue, Muhammadu Gudaji Kazaure.

Kazaure had said President Buhari secretly constituted the committee to recover the purportedly trapped N89 trillion stamp duties.

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However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, had said last week Tuesday that the claims of a missing N89 trillion from stamp duty appeared false and a figment of their malicious imaginations after President Buhari had rescinded the approval he gave via the late Abba Kyari’s letter of March 28 and asked that the committee be stopped from operating under the seal of his office long before he stirred up the latest controversy.

“The same set of consultants claimed in 2016 there was N20 trillion to be collected. It was found to be false. The entire banking sector deposit is not even up to half of N89 trillion.

“Indeed, if the Federal Government can find N89 trillion Naira, it can pay off all its debt, both foreign and local currency and all state government debts and still have over N10 trillion left.

“So, the claim by these so-called consultants and the disbanded committee is totally ridiculous and a complete mockery,” he also said.

He had added that a duly authorized committee under the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) was working to reconcile, recover and transfer all Stamp Duties into Stamp Duties Central Account.

Asked if he discussed the Kazaure issue as a member of the House of Representatives, the Speaker said: “Kazaure, from my understanding, he is working with whoever he is working with. If it necessitates the house coming in, we will come in. If he has an official function, he should go ahead and do his work. But this has nothing to do with National Assembly. Not that I know of.

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“It was not based on a resolution of the National Assembly. It was not based on a motion from the National Assembly, I believe he said he had the executive authority to do what he’s doing. If that’d be the case, I mean, then it’s got nothing to do with the National Assembly.”

Asked whether the house would call him to order since he was not representing them, he said: “The house can only call Kazaure to order to the extent that it is impugning on the integrity of the house or individuals or leadership of the House that have nothing to do with what heis doing.

“It is important to separate the two, if he has a mandate to do something, that’s on him. When it came up, we had asked members of the executive, they said they were not aware of any mandate or such mandate has been withdrawn. I don’t want to get into it. I don’t want to get into it except to the extent that he tries to impugn on the integrity of members of the House. And that’s a no no, we have nothing to do with this.”

On what the house would do between now and next year, Gbajabiamila said the 2023 budget would be passed on Thursday.

He said the lower chamber of National Assembly would use 10 days to do “house cleaning matters” and attend emergency issues before going back for campaigns and elections.

On his regular routine meeting with the President which he described as “fruitful”, Gbajabiamila said it was meant to get his perspectives on some state matters of national interest and shared the position of National Assembly with him.

He said the discussion focused on cashless policy, elections and related violence, adding that the opportunity was used to wish the President happy birthday and offer prayers for longer life and Allah’s continued protection and blessings on his life.

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UK deports 43 to Nigeria, Ghana over immigration offences

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UK deports 43 to Nigeria, Ghana over immigration offences

The United Kingdom has deported 43 individuals to Nigeria and Ghana, citing immigration offences, including failed asylum applications and criminal convictions.

In a joint statement released by the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Friday, UK authorities confirmed the removal but did not specify the exact date of the deportations.

According to the statement, the deportees included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign nationals who had completed prison sentences. An additional seven individuals reportedly returned to their home countries voluntarily.

“Those removed had no right to be in the UK and included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders who had served their sentences. Seven people returned voluntarily,” the statement noted.

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However, the government did not clarify how many were sent to each country or confirm if all were nationals of Nigeria and Ghana.

Since Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office, the UK has organized two charter deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana, removing a total of 87 people. In October, a record 44 individuals were deported in a single flight to both countries.

This shift comes after the collapse of the controversial UK-Rwanda migration deal, which was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court in 2023. The deal aimed to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing and resettlement.

In response, the UK reportedly signed a deportation agreement with Nigeria to facilitate the return of undocumented migrants.

Following the latest flight, UK Border Security and Asylum Minister Angela Eagle expressed gratitude to the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments for their cooperation, calling the operation an example of strong international collaboration.

The UK government also noted that over 24,000 individuals have been removed from the country over the past year—an 11% increase compared to the previous year.

UK deports 43 to Nigeria, Ghana over immigration offences

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Zamfara okays 100% increase in NYSC members’ state allowances

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Zamfara okays 100% increase in NYSC members’ state allowances

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to Zamfara State are set to receive double their previous state allowances following a directive by Governor Dauda Lawal.

The governor made this known on Friday during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream I orientation course in Gusau. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada, Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to corps members’ security and welfare.

“I am happy to inform you that I have directed the resumption of payment of state allowances to all corps members in the state.“I have also directed the upward increments of corps members’ allowances by 100 percent.“My administration is also willing to pay special allowances to the medical corps members serving in the state,” he stated.

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He also encouraged the 550 corps members deployed to Zamfara to embrace the state’s cultural heritage and traditions.

“I assure corps members of adequate security and warm hospitality throughout their year of service in the state.“I wish to reiterate that we will pay full attention to your security and welfare.“We will give you all the necessary support to carry out your duties and will provide everything necessary to make your stay here a memorable one,” the governor added.

In his remarks, NYSC State Coordinator Mohammad Ahmad expressed gratitude for the state government’s ongoing backing of the scheme.

“We appreciate the state government for adequate provision of additional facilities as well as approval for the payment of state allowances to corps members,” Ahmad said.

Zamfara okays 100% increase in NYSC members’ state allowances

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Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget

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Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget

A factional House of Assembly has emerged in Zamfara state with members demanding the re-presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by Governor Dauda Lawal.

The group, made up of nine lawmakers who were suspended in February 2024 over allegations of misconduct, conspiracy, and illegal sitting, convened in Gusau, the state capital, and declared the formation of a parallel legislative body.

At the session, the lawmakers elected Hon. Bashir Aliyu Gummi as Speaker of the factional assembly.

During the sitting, the faction addressed several issues, including the state’s deteriorating security situation, economic challenges, and the recent reports of mass sackings within the state civil service allegedly carried out by the Lawal administration.

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The group further demanded that Governor Lawal re-present the 2025 budget, arguing that the process followed in its initial passage was flawed. The governor had originally submitted the N545 billion Appropriation Bill to the widely-known State House of Assembly led by Speaker Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki in December 2024. The bill was passed and signed into law that same month.

Present at Wednesday’s session were Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South), Ibrahim Tudu Tukur (Bakura), Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North), and Faruk Musa Dosara (Maradun 1). Others included Bashar Aliyu (Gummi 1), Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Amiru Ahmed (Tsafe West), Basiru Bello (Bungudu West), and Mukhtaru Nasiru (Kaura Namoda North).

 

Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget

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