Author: Vardiafrica

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, is yet to meet his bail requirements. The EFCC was responding to Malami’s claim that his bail was revoked because of his attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi state. Malami is being probed for 18 alleged offences, including money laundering, abuse of office, and terrorism financing. In a statement on Friday, Mohammed Bello Doka, his special assistant on media, had said the former AGF did not default on any bail requirements. “For the avoidance of doubt, Abubakar Malami, SAN did not default on any bail condition.…

Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the presidential fiscal policy and tax reforms committee, says the tax reform laws will mandate commercial banks to report accounts with N25 million quarterly turnover to the tax agency. Speaking on Friday during a media parley on the tax reform laws, Oyedele said the tax reforms increased the reporting threshold from N10 million to N25 million. “What this one has done is that it has raised the threshold for reporting your bank account. I think it was N10 million before, but it is now N25 million, which translates to N100 million,” he said. He said on…

Yakubu Gowon, the former head of state, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo were among dignitaries present at the 2025 service of nine lessons and carols held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The annual Christmas service, held on Friday and hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, was themed ‘Emmanuel: God With Us’. Obasanjo, who has not attended a state function in Aso Rock since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, read the second lesson from Genesis, which focused on obedience and divine blessing. Gowon had delivered the first lesson, setting the tone for the service with a reading centred on accountability…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all acquirers, processors, and Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) to implement dual connectivity for point of sale (PoS) transactions within one month, as part of efforts to strengthen transaction reliability and reduce service disruptions. In a circular dated December 11, 2025, signed by Rakiya Yusuf, the CBN’s director of the payments system supervision department, the apex bank stated: “Mandatory Dual Connectivity –All Acquirers, Processors, and Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) shall establish and maintain active connectivity with both licensed Payments Terminal Service Aggregators (PTSAs), namely the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Unified…

The National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Taminu Turaki, on Saturday arrived at the Olusegun Obasanjo presidential Library home in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, for a meeting. Although the reason for the meeting is yet to be known, it may not be unconnected with the current happenings in the umbrella party. Others in his entourage include former governor of Niger state Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Plateau State, Jona Jang, former deputy governor of Oyo State, Taofeek Arapaja, among others

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike on his birthday, describing him as “one of the shining stars in my cabinet” and an “exceptional performer” whose infrastructure drive is transforming Abuja like never before. In a State House press release issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu thanked God for Wike’s life of “purpose, service, and courage.” He praised the former Rivers State governor as an “audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results,” spotlighting his role in shattering a 14-year deadlock on the Apo-Karshi road project. The President highlighted Wike’s…

President Bola Tinubu again on Friday dismissed allegations of either Christian or Muslim genocide in Nigeria, insisting that the country’s security challenges are driven by criminality and extremism, not religion. Tinubu made the remarks while declaring open the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society’s (NASFAT) 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja. The theme of the event was “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community.” Represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the President said the Federal Government was working tirelessly to end terrorism across the country. Recall that…

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Saturday, declared its full operational readiness for timely and effective response to emergencies during the Yuletide season and beyond. A statement by the Agency declared the emergency response lines when its Director General, Zubaida Umar, led staff on a fitness exercise in Abuja. The exercise, which featured a route walk of about five kilometres, was aimed at promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and preparedness among staff in line with the Agency’s mandate as a frontline emergency coordination agency. Speaking at the end of the exercise, Umar expressed satisfaction with the fitness level,…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed the ex-gantry price of its premium motor spirit, also known as petrol, to N699 per litre. According to sources at the refinery, the price of the product was reduced by N129 from the previous price of N828 per litre. “The refinery reduced its petrol price to N699 per litre,” a source said. Also speaking to TheCable, Abubakar Garima, national president of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), confirmed that the refinery reduced its ex-depot price for petrol. “The refinery reduced the price to N699 per litre and told marketers that we can…

The former Labour and Productivity Minister, Chris Ngige, has entered a not guilty plea at the FCT High Court, Gwarimpa, Abuja, in the alleged use of his position while in office to confer undue advantage on associates through the award of multiple contracts amounting to N2,261,722,535.84. Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that Ngige be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for Monday, December 14. Ngige pleaded not guilty to eight charges, which include abuse of office and receiving gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund while serving as its supervising…