Nelson Ugwuagbo

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has imposed stringent bail conditions on the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is standing trial over an alleged N4.6 billion fraud charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge on Friday admitted Adamu to bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties required to stand for him.

According to the court, the sureties must own landed properties in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarinpa districts of Abuja and are to deposit the original Certificates of Occupancy of the properties with the court for the duration of the trial.

Justice Nwite further ordered the sureties to deposit their international passports with the court registrar, while the commissioner is barred from travelling outside the country without the express permission of the court.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Adamu be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The bail application was moved by Chief Gordy Uche, SAN, who appeared for the commissioner and a firm, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, but was opposed by EFCC counsel, Samuel Chime.

Adamu and Ayab Agro Products were arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving N4.6 billion.

The Presidency has denied claims that the newly enacted tax reform laws were altered, insisting that reports of inconsistencies are based on fake or unofficial documents.

The controversy began after a lawmaker, Abdulsamad Dasuki, alleged that the gazette tax laws released to the public did not reflect the versions approved by the National Assembly, a development he said undermined his constitutional role.

The allegations sparked calls from prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer Peter Obi, and several civil society groups, urging the Federal Government to suspend enforcement of the laws pending clarification.

Addressing the issue on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, rejected the claims, stating that the materials circulating online were not the official copies.

According to Oyedele, comparisons being made between the purported gazetted laws and the bills passed by lawmakers are premature, as the final harmonised versions certified by the Clerk of the National Assembly have not been released to the public.

He stressed that the authority to confirm the exact content of the bills forwarded to the President rests solely with the National Assembly.

Ahead of today’s planned nationwide protests organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun ohas deployed special forces and tactical teams across the country to ensure a peaceful demonstration.

State police commands, in separate interviews on Tuesday, confirmed their preparedness to prevent violence and curb the activities of miscreants and alleged political hirelings who may attempt to disrupt the rallies.

The NLC had earlier insisted that it would proceed with the nationwide protests, which were called to draw attention to worsening insecurity and other unresolved labour-related issues.

Speaking on the level of mobilisation, the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, confirmed that affiliate unions have been mobilised nationwide. “We are going on with the protest across the country,” he said.

Upah further warned that any attempt to obstruct the National Day of Protest and Mourning could trigger a nationwide indefinite strike.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to prosecute popular TikTok influencer Habeeb Hamzat, widely known as Peller, over a road traffic crash linked to reckless driving.

The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, raised concerns over what he described as a growing trend of dangerous road behaviour among celebrities, social media influencers and content creators, warning that such actions pose serious risks to public safety and undermine national road safety efforts.

The development follows the circulation of a video on social media showing Peller live-streaming while driving, an act the FRSC said reportedly resulted in a traffic accident.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, Mohammed condemned the conduct as unlawful and hazardous, noting that it could have led to severe injuries or loss of life.

According to the Corps Marshal, the incident “serves as a grim reminder that fame does not confer immunity from the law, nor does it excuse dangerous behaviour on public roads.”

He stressed that live streaming, content creation, recording, or any activity that distracts a driver while driving constitutes a direct violation of established traffic regulations and endangers not only the driver but other road users.

Mohammed further stated that such actions undermine ongoing national efforts to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities.

Consequently, he directed the Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC to commence prosecution proceedings against the individual involved for reckless driving, use of a mobile phone while driving, and distracted driving, in line with existing traffic laws.