Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers

A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.

Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.

The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.

He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.

This is  coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.

The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.

It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.

Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct 

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.

Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.

The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.

Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency

The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.

Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.

“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively

“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.

Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.

N’Assembly will pass Tinubu’s tax reform bills after review – Rep Jibrin

Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat, has assured that the National Assembly will soon pass President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills.

Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, which aired on TVC News, Jibrin emphasized the importance of the reforms, stating that they are designed to secure Nigeria’s economic future.

“We will pass the tax reform bills. I have no doubts about their consideration and approval,” he affirmed.

Jibrin acknowledged public concerns, particularly in northern Nigeria, but urged citizens to understand the reforms’ benefits.

“For those who have thoroughly reviewed the bills, the advantages outweigh any perceived disadvantages,” he said.

He noted that the reforms aim to enhance revenue generation and ensure equitable distribution, bolstering the country’s economic survival.

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“President Tinubu and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) are not pushing for these bills as a battle but as a means to improve the nation’s revenue system,” Jibrin explained.

Addressing concerns over contentious clauses, Jibrin assured that the National Assembly would subject the bills to proper legislative scrutiny and allow amendments where necessary.

“The bills are not set in stone. If contentious clauses exist, the legislative process provides an avenue to address them,” he added.

Jibrin also pointed out that many critics of the bills had not read them but were influenced by misinformation. He called for broader sensitization efforts to educate Nigerians on the necessity of these reforms.

He further highlighted that Tinubu’s earlier decisions, such as removing fuel subsidies and eliminating the parallel FOREX market, are steps toward transforming Nigeria’s economy despite the temporary hardships they impose.

“These reforms may be challenging now, but they are essential for a better and more stable tomorrow,” Jibrin concluded.

N’Assembly will pass Tinubu’s tax reform bills after review – Rep Jibrin