News
Court summons Interior Minister, AGF over proposed expatriates’ tax regime
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, ordered the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to appear before it in three days.
The order is for the Interior Minister and AGF to show cause why the implementation of the proposed expatriates taxation regime should not be stopped.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on a motion ex-parte moved by counsel who appeared for the plaintiff, Patrick Peter, ordered that the minister and the AGF be served with the motion within three days of the order.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plaintiff, Incorporated Trustees of New Kosol Welfare Initiative had, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CD/1780/2024, sued the Interior Minister and AGF as 1st and 2nd defendants.
The plaintiff filed the application through a team of lawyers led by Paul Atayi.
The group sought an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from commencing the implementation of the new Expatriates’ Taxation Regime known as the ‘Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL)’ in Nigeria, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
A Programme Implementation Coordinator of the group, Raphael Ezeh, in the affidavit he deposed to, averred that on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, the Federal Government of Nigeria unveiled a set of proposed new taxation policy called the Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL).
“According to KPMG and other online information analysts and dissemination agencies, the Federal Government intends to compel all companies and organisations who engage the services of foreign expatriates to pay tax E.E.L. as follows:
“For every expatriate on the level of a director — Fifteen Thousand United States Dollars ($15,000.00) equivalent to Twenty-Three Million Naira, by the current exchange rates (NW23,000,000.00) per annum.
“For every expatriate on a non-director level – Ten Thousand United States Dollars ($10,000.00) equivalent to Sixteen Million Naira, by the current exchange rates (N16,000,000.00) per annum,” he said.
Ezeh averred that the Federal Government also planned additional regulations consisting of penalties and sanctions for non-compliance with the proposed taxation regime.
According to him, inaccurate or incomplete reporting will attract five years’ imprisonment and/or N1 million.
He said failure of a corporate entity to file EEL within 30 day is to attract a penalty of N3 million, failure to register an employee within 30 days will also attract N3 million, while submission of false information will attract N3 million.
The coordinator said failure to renew EEL before its expiry date by an organisation is to attract a sanction of N3 million.
Ezeh said “the proposed taxation regime is totally an anti-people policy because of its radical effect on different aspects of the Nigerian economy and it works like a choke-hold against the economic growth of the nation.”
He said taxation is a sensitive matter which, under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), calls for the collaboration of the executive and legislative arms of government.
He said under Section 59 of the constitution, the executive arm of government alone does not have the powers to impose tax on corporate bodies and other citizens of the nation.
He said the current prevailing tax regime is far more friendly towards expatriates than the proposed one.
Ezeh alleged that the minister is about to commence full implementation of the EEL.
“If the defendants are not restrained by an order of this honourable court, they will commence full implementation of the said programme and thereby threatening the nation’s economic sustainability,” he said.
He said the plaintiff undertook to pay damages if the substantive suit turned out to be frivolous.
After listening to Peter, Justice Ekwo ordered the plaintiff to put the defendants on notice of the ex-parte application within 3 days of the order.
He said: “Upon being served, the defendants are hereby ordered to show cause why the prayers of the plaintiff ought not to be granted on the next date of hearing.”
The judge adjourned the matter until Jan. 16 for the minister and the AGF to show cause.
NAN reports that the Federal Ministry of Interior had, earlier in 2024, suspended the implementation of the EEL which was launched on Feb. 27, 2024, to allow for further consultations with Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and other vital stakeholders.(NAN)
Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has ignited social media buzz after posting a 15-second TikTok video set to the trending song Omo Ologo — a track closely linked with President Bola Tinubu.
The video, shared on her TikTok page on May 8, shows the embattled lawmaker smiling and playfully interacting with the camera. Captioned, “Just for fun, song choked,” the post has drawn mixed reactions online, with some interpreting it as a light-hearted moment, while others suspect a deeper political undertone.
The video comes just days after the song Omo Ologo was performed live by Kano-based singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara during a dinner in Katsina State held in honour of President Tinubu, who was on a two-day working visit to assess security in the region.
The song, which blends Hausa and Yoruba, praises Tinubu as a victorious leader who has outlasted his critics.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s TikTok post follows a series of dramatic exchanges between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The senator was suspended from the upper legislative chamber in March after accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment — an allegation that triggered heated debate in the National Assembly.
In what appeared to be a bold response to her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan recently posted a sarcastic apology video to Akpabio on Facebook, in which she claimed she was sorry “for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect.”
The post was accompanied by a short video, further fueling controversy.
Akpabio’s legal team has since approached a federal high court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling the senator to delete the post from her social media pages.
In a counter-affidavit filed by her lawyer, Jubril Okutepa (SAN), Akpoti-Uduaghan’s camp described the motion as an attempt to silence and intimidate her.
The court is expected to rule on the matter on May 12.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, momentum is building across the ZangoKataf/Jaba Federal Constituency. Brigadier General Simon Katunku Gora has emerged as a prominent figure poised to bring effective representation to the people. Gen. Gora played host to an enthusiastic campaign team from Jaba Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, which marks a significant milestone in his political journey and growing support for his candidacy.
The gathering, which took place yesterday at Kafanchan, brought together respected political leaders and influential stakeholders from Jaba LGA. Which collective efforts and commitment to promoting a capable and visionary leader who they believe can transform the future of ZangoKataf/Jaba at the federal level.
Speaking during the gathering, Brigadier General Simon Katunku Gora expressed sincere gratitude to the Campaign team for their unwavering belief in his leadership. In his remarks, he said, “I am deeply honoured by your support and faith in my ability to lead ZangoKataf/Jaba at the federal level in 2027. My mission is to ensure that the people genuinely feel the impact of governance through meaningful development and active representation.”
Gen. Gora, also used the opportunity to advocate for unity and peaceful coexistence among constituents. According to him, a prosperous ZangoKataf/Jaba can only be achieved through collective harmony and shared values. “Let us come together as one people,” he urged. “Peace and unity are the foundations of any successful constituency, and only through them can we achieve lasting development.”
The campaign team from Jaba LGA did not hold back in their praise and support to Gen. Gora. Speaking on behalf of the team, the Campaign Coordinator Mr. Williams Garba described him as the most qualified, experienced, and dependable candidate to represent ZangoKataf/Jaba in the House of Representatives come 2027. With chants of “We believe in your leadership!”, the atmosphere was electric, reflecting genuine enthusiasm for a candidate who embodies credibility, competence, and compassion.
Mr. Williams Garba further emphasize that the increasing support for Gen. Gora from various communities and political blocs, is gaining traction and shaping up to be one of the most promising in the region. The campaign Coordinator stressed that Gen. Gora ability to connect with the people and address their concerns positions him as a front-runner in the 2027 race.
In a closing remarks, Gen. Gora made a passionate call to all residents of Zango-Kataf and Jaba to set aside political divisions and focus on collective advancement. He stressed that the 2027 election is more than a political contest it is a defining moment to steer the constituency toward a better future.
He urged every community, ward, and supporter to spread the message of hope and change. According to Gen. Gora, the transformation of ZangoKataf/Jaba lies in harnessing the strength of its people, their voices, and their votes.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has cleared the backlog of outstanding tuition fees owed to beneficiaries of the state’s foreign scholarship scheme, offering major relief to affected students studying abroad.
The intervention, carried out in partnership with the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board under the leadership of Executive Secretary Prof. Yahya Saleh Ibrahim, spans multiple countries and institutions.
Several students who were previously stranded due to unpaid fees have now resumed or completed their academic programs.
Among the beneficiaries is Hauwa Bashir Liman, an MBBS student at the University of Debrecen in Hungary, who received $51,400. Also, Bashir Al Bashir and Ahmad Abubakar at the University of Wollongong in Dubai received $13,827.08 to cover tuition, visa, and other academic costs up to graduation.
Additionally, nine students—including Salisu Shehu Ramin Kura and King Henry Ishaya—who had earlier returned to Nigeria due to financial challenges had their tuition arrears totaling $81,135.76 fully cleared. The government also provided full-year stipends to both Salisu and Ishaya.
Furthermore, all pending tuition fees for medical and nursing graduates of the Islamic University of Uganda and Kampala International University have been settled, enabling them to commence their housemanship in hospitals across Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Jigawa, and Borno states.
Despite inheriting a lean treasury, the Uba Sani administration has disbursed N402,799,973 in scholarships to more than 3,930 students enrolled in local institutions such as Kaduna State University (KASU), Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, and the College of Education, Gidan Waya.
Over 500 new scholarship awards are expected to be issued in the coming days to students at KASU, while continuing students across various institutions in the state are also receiving renewed support.
According to the Board, the intervention reflects Governor Uba Sani’s strong commitment to inclusive education and support for underprivileged students across Kaduna State.