Tag: House of Reps

Akpabio blasts PDP, says Elections more credible since 2015

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declared that Nigeria’s elections have become more transparent and credible since the party was voted out of power in 2015.   Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary as lawmakers debated the Electoral Bill 2025, Akpabio said the nation’s democracy has matured significantly through reforms and technological innovations introduced after the PDP era.   Reflecting on his time as Akwa Ibom State Governor (2007–2015) under the PDP, Akpabio admitted that elections during the party’s rule were plagued by irregularities…

Reps moves to stop arbitrary rent increases, sets 20% limit

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has moved to curb the rising trend of arbitrary rent increases across Nigeria, proposed that future rent adjustments should not exceed 20 per cent of the existing rate, regardless of property upgrades or other factors.   This followed a motion moved by Hon. Bassey Akiba, representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, on the “Need to Regulate Arbitrary Rent Increase and Protect Tenants from Exploitation.”   Lawmakers urged the Federal Government to intensify affordable housing programmes, encourage low-cost home ownership, and ease pressure on the rental market through…

House of Reps Approves ₦1.132 Trillion Budget for Nigeria Customs Service

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has approved a total of ₦1.132 trillion as the 2025 budget for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), signalling legislative support for the agency’s revenue generation, anti-smuggling, and trade facilitation efforts.   The budget was presented to the committee on Monday, June 23, 2025, by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller-General Mohammed Jibo, in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services.   Adeniyi disclosed that the NCS has set an ambitious ₦6.584 trillion revenue target for…

₦3 Trillion Fraud: Whistleblower Group Petitions House of Reps …. Accuses Shipping Giant MSC of Economic Sabotage and Legal Evasion

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A civic advocacy group, Citizens WhistleBlowers Coalition (CWC), has petitioned the House of Representatives, accusing global shipping conglomerate, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), of massive financial misconduct, legal subversion, and regulatory violations in Nigeria’s maritime sector.   Addressing journalists at the National Assembly Complex on Tuesday, the spokesperson of the group, Mr. Karl Chinedu, revealed that the petition calls for a legislative probe into what it described as one of the most alarming cases of corporate exploitation in recent memory.   The group alleged that MSC has withheld over ₦3 trillion…

House of Reps to hold Valedictory Session for Deceased Members of 10th Assembly

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has announced it will hold a special valedictory session on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to honour five late members of the 10th National Assembly who died while serving in office. The session, slated for 11:00 a.m. at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, is listed in the week’s Notice Paper released by Rep. Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business. According to a statement signed by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., the solemn sitting will feature…

CBEX Crypto Scam: Reps sympathise with victims, call for urgent action …… Highlight new Anti-Fraud Law

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has expressed deep concern over the reported collapse of a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platform, “CBEX,” which has allegedly defrauded thousands of Nigerians of more than ₦1.3 trillion. In an official statement signed by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., on Thursday, the House extended heartfelt sympathy to victims of the scheme, many of whom are now facing significant financial hardship and emotional distress. The lawmakers clarified that the platform, which is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), misleadingly adopted the name “CBEX,”…

House of Reps commends Tincan Island Port Command over ₦347bn Q1 revenue performance

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has pledged its continued support for the Tincan Island Port Command following its remarkable revenue performance in the first quarter of 2025.   During a recent oversight visit to the Command, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed that the Command generated a total of ₦347,935,672,475.50 between January and March 2025. This reflected a significant increase from the ₦303,791,379,473.67 recorded in the same period of 2024, amounting to a revenue growth of ₦44,144,293,001.83, or 14.54%.   Comptroller Onyeka noted that…

House of Reps condemns Edo mob killing, demands justice for victims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has strongly condemned the brutal killing of 16 travellers from Northern Nigeria in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, called for swift and thorough justice against the perpetrators.   In a statement issued on Saturday by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., the lawmakers described the incident as a grave violation of human rights and the rule of law.   The House acknowledged the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, instructing security agencies to conduct…

House of Reps reshuffles Committees, names Hon Ifeoluwa Ehindero Chairman of Students Loans Committee

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has announced a major reshuffling of its standing committees, appointed new Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons to enhance legislative oversight and efficiency. Among the newly appointed leaders, Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero, representing Akoko Northeast/Northwest Federal Constituency, has been named Chairman of the House Committee on Students Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing, which oversees the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Hon. Ehindero, in his reaction, expressed gratitude to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, and the leadership for entrusting him with the role. He…

Bribery Allegations: HallowMace Foundation criticizes House of Reps’ hasty defense of Lawmakers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The HallowMace Foundation, a pro-democracy and good governance advocacy group, has expressed strong reservations over the House of Representatives’ swift dismissal of bribery allegations leveled against some lawmakers by Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Sunny Anderson Osiebe, the foundation criticized the House for rushing to defend its members without first conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the claims. “The allegations made by Gambaryan are grave and demand serious attention. He has accused specific lawmakers of seeking significant payouts…