Author: Opalim Lifted

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says Nigerians should couple their excitement and renewed hopes in 2026 with zero tolerance for economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption. Olukoyede spoke in his New Year message, issued by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s spokesperson. He said the euphoria of the new year is gladdening but should awaken in every Nigerian a deeper drive for accountable conduct to make the nation enviable and sustainably great. “As we welcome the new year with excitement and renewed hopes, let us renew our commitment and channel our energy to the…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described President Bola Tinubu as “incompetent” in his New Year message to Nigerians. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Atiku said 2025 was “one of the most punishing years in our recent history,” citing “economic suffocation, political recklessness, and governance without empathy” under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “The past year exposed, in stark terms, the incompetence and policy bankruptcy of President Bola Tinubu. Governing for months without a functional budget, the administration relied on propaganda while borrowing recklessly, pushing the nation to the brink of economic collapse,” the statement reads. “In the…

Nigerian banks will start deducting a 10 percent withholding tax on interest earned from foreign currency deposits from January 1, 2026. Access Bank, in an email to customers on Wednesday, outlined changes that will apply to banking transactions from the effective date. The financial institution said the deduction aligns with the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025. “Electronic Money Transfer Levy (N50): Previously charged to the Recipient on transfers of N10,000 or more, this charge will now be deducted from the Sender’s account,” the email reads. “Withholding Tax on Foreign Currency Deposits Interest: Interest earned on FCY deposits will now attract a…

Mali and Burkina Faso have announced reciprocal travel restrictions on United States nationals. The announcement comes after US President Donald Trump imposed a permanent visa ban on nationals of both countries. In separate statements issued on Tuesday, the two West African countries said the move was in line with the principle of reciprocity, after the US expanded its travel restrictions to include Mali and Burkina Faso. Mali’s ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation expressed regret that the decision was taken without prior consultation. The ministry noted that the security justification cited by US “contradicts the real developments on the…

The Pacific island nation of Kiribati has become the first place on Earth to welcome 2026, closing the door on a turbulent year marked by global conflicts, political shocks and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Christmas Island – officially known as Kiritimati – sits in the world’s most forward time zone, 14 hours ahead of UTC. That means when residents there stepped into Thursday and the new year, it was still Tuesday in American Samoa. Home to more than 7,000 people, Kiritimati was once among the last places to see the new year. That changed in 1994 when Kiribati…

Nigeria has achieved a historic milestone as the Federal Civil Service officially becomes fully paperless, completing a nationwide digital transformation across all ministries and extra-ministerial departments. Announcing the breakthrough in Abuja, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described it as a decisive break from the country’s decades-long paper-based bureaucracy. “As of December 30, 2025, every federal ministry and extra-ministerial department now operates digitally,” she said. “This marks a bold shift towards a modern, accountable, and technology-driven public service.” The reform, according to Walson-Jack, strengthens transparency, accountability, and service delivery while aligning Nigeria’s…

Banks will start charging senders a N50 stamp duty on electronic transfers of N10,000 and above from January 1, 2026, following the implementation of the Tax Act. The stamp duty or electronic money transfer levy (EMTL) is a single, one-off charge of N50 on electronic receipt or transfer of money deposited in any commercial money bank or financial institution on any type of account on sums of N10,000 and above. In an email sent to customers on Tuesday, United Bank for Africa (UBA) said the N50 electronic money transfer levy (EMTL) on transfers will now be referred to as stamp…

The Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has placed a total ban on the burning of used tyres during crossover night activities marking the New Year celebrations across the state. The Commissioner has consequently directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ensure strict enforcement of the ban and to arrest and prosecute anyone found engaging in the prohibited act. The ban has become imperative to protect critical government and private infrastructure from damage and defacement, prevent environmental pollution, and ensure the free flow of traffic and public safety during the festivities. CP Shetima…

The Ondo command of the south-west security network, also known as Amotekun, says it has arrested 39 suspected terrorists who allegedly fled Sokoto and relocated to forest reserves in the state. Adetunji Adeleye, the commander of Amotekun in Ondo, spoke on Tuesday while parading 61 suspects in Akure, the state capital. The arrests came in the wake of the United States–backed military strikes against ISIS terrorists in Sokoto state. Last week, US President Donald Trump announced “powerful and deadly” strikes against the terrorists in the north-west region. Adeleye said the 39 suspects were arrested around the Elegbeka axis of Ose…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Yakubu Adamu, Bauchi state commissioner for finance, over alleged N5.79 billion money laundering. Adamu, a former branch manager of Polaris Bank in Bauchi, was brought before Emeka Nwite, presiding judge of the federal high court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday. He was arraigned alongside Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Limited on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering, contrary to Section 21(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. At the commencement of proceedings, Samuel Chime, prosecution counsel, told the court that the matter was for arraignment and…