Nigerians will begin paying a 7.5 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on selected banking services, including mobile bank transfers and USSD transactions,from January 19, 2026, following a new regulatory directive backed by the Federal Government.

The development was disclosed in a notice sent to customers on Wednesday by Moniepoint, informing users of the impending implementation of the VAT regime on certain electronic banking charges.

According to the notice, the directive was issued by tax authorities mandating financial institutions to begin the collection and remittance of VAT.

Part of the notice read: “We would like to inform you of an upcoming government-endorsed regulatory change regarding Value Added Tax (VAT).

“From Monday, 19 January 2026, we are required to collect a 7.5% VAT, to be remitted to the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) (formerly known as the Federal Inland Revenue Service).”

Moniepoint said the tax would apply to “certain banking services”, including “electronic banking charges such as mobile banking fees (transfers), USSD transaction fees and card issuance fee”.

The company, however, clarified that not all banking transactions would attract the tax.

“Services that DO NOT attract VAT include: interest on deposits and savings,” the notice read.

Moniepoint also distanced itself from responsibility for the new charges, saying the deductions were not a price increase by the company.

“This is not a price increase by Moniepoint. Moniepoint is required to collect and remit VAT to the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS).

“The NRS has communicated a deadline for 19th January 2026 for all financial institutions — commercial banks, microfinance banks and electronic money transfer operators — to start collecting and remitting VAT. VAT applies only to banking or service fees, not interest,” it said.

Customers were also informed that the deductions would be clearly itemised, as “VAT charge will appear separately on your transaction reports and statements”.

The new VAT enforcement is expected to affect millions of Nigerians who rely daily on mobile banking platforms and USSD services for financial transactions.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Donald Okehie has commissioned a new accommodation for senior ratings at the Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Rivers State.

Commissioning the new building on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 in Bonny, Rivers State, Rear Admiral Okehie commended the Commanding Officer of FOB Bonny, Commodore Emmanuel Fingesi, who he said has set a new standard for infrastructure development.

The FOC Eastern Naval Command also noted the intentionality displayed by the Commanding Officer in address welfare issues affecting officers and ratings of the Base, asserting that such leadership qualities deserve accolades.

Earlier on arrival, Rear Admiral Okehie, who was accompanied by the Command Operations Officer, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chinonyerem Oji, and the Commander NNS Pathfinder, Rear Admiral Cajetan Aniaku, was conducted round the new building by Cdre Fingesi.

According to the Base Operations Officer of FOB Bonny, Lt Commander Sirajo Almustapha, the 20 man Senior Rates Lodge was conceived, initiated, completed and furnished by the Commanding Officer, FOB Bonny, in order to address the acute shortage of ratings’ accommodation.

According to him, “the project commenced on Friday, August 22, 2025 and was completed on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, reflecting the Base’s commitment to excellence, discipline and timely completion of project”.

“The accommodation is designed to house 62 ratings of the Base, thereby bringing to an end the ratings accommodation shortage at the Base.”

The newly commissioned building alongside several other initiatives of the FOB Bonny Commanding Officer, Commodore Emmanuel Fingesi, has significantly improved the infrastructural development profile of the Base.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, fixed January 23 to hear the application for stay of further proceedings filed by the Kabiru Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against a suit instituted by a faction of the party in the camp of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to allow counsel for plaintiffs, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, to respond to the motion for stay.

The Wike-led PDP and its acting National Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, alongside Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, the factional National Secretary, had filed the suit.

The plaintiffs, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025, had sought an order of injunction restraining the Turaki-led leadership (5th to 25th defendants) from parading themselves as representatives of the PDP in any capacity whatsoever.

They also prayed the court to stop the police and Department of State Services (DSS) from allowing Turaki-led leadership access to the party’s national secretariat at Wadara Plaza in Abuja.

Besides, they sought an order of injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting any other office address or any other address from the Turaki-led leadership as the PDP’s office address other than as already contained in the commission’s records, among other reliefs.

The plaintiffs prayed the court to declare that INEC, the police and the DSS are constitutionally bound to enforce and give full effect to the decisions of the Federal High Court in the judgements and ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho and Justice Peter Lifu.

Justice Abdulmalik had earlier granted an ex-parte motion brought by the plaintiffs directing parties not to take any action pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

Following the order, the Turaki-led PDP challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal.

They also filed an application for the court to stay proceedings in the suit pending the decision of the Appeal Court.

The Turaki-led leadership, through their lawyer, equally filed a motion on notice asking Justice Abdulmalik to recuse herself from the case.

They argued that there exists a reasonable and well-founded apprehension of the likelihood of bias against them in the manner the suit had been handled by the judge.

Justice Abdulmalik had, on December 5, 2025, adjourned the matter to Jan. 14 to allow parties to regularise their processes and for hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit.

When the case was called on Wednesday, the lawyer for the plaintiffs, Ikpeazu, informed the court that on the last adjourned date, the court ruled that all pending applications would be taken together with the substantive case.

He said they were ready to proceed.

But Chief Chris Uche, SAN, who appeared for the Turaki-led leadership of the PDP, informed the court that on Dec. 5, when the matter came up, they drew the attention of the judge to the motion for recusal, asking her to withdraw from the case.

The lawyer said the court then adjourned the matter for the plaintiffs to respond to their motion.

Uche said though Justice Abdulmalik made an order pending their motion for recusal, they had filed an appeal against the order.

“We filed an appeal against my lord’s decision, and we have a duty to report to your lordship that that appeal has now been entered in the Court of Appeal, numbered CA/ABJ/CV/1770/2025.

“We have also filed an affidavit of facts of entering of the appeal in order to bring to your knowledge the entry of the appeal.

“Records have been fully transmitted, and the plaintiffs are very much aware and have taken steps to file processes in the appeal,” he said.

Uche, who said the processes were already before the court, added that a motion for stay of further proceedings in the suit pending the appeal had also been filed.

According to him, it is trite and beyond dispute that once an appeal has been entered, the trial court ceases to take further proceedings or further hearings in the suit.

He cited a 2021 case of Secondus vs. Ibaochi Alex to back his argument.

He, therefore, prayed the court to stay proceedings pending the determination of their appeal and urged the court to adjourn the matter sine die (indefinitely).

Responding, Ikpeazu admitted that though an appeal had been filed, the lawyer argued that an appeal in a matter does not automatically translate into a stay of execution or proceedings.

He argued that in determining whether or not to proceed, the nature of the appeal is utmost relevant.

“By virtue of Order 4, Rule 11(2) of the Court of Appeal rules, Sub. 1 provides for a basis for the application they have just made, but Sub. 2 limits the scope of Sub. 1,” he said, quoting the section.

He argued that a stay cannot be granted if an appeal does not affect the subject matter of the suit.

“The bottom line is the appeal is against the interlocutory decision of my lord,” he said, arguing that the court has the inherent power to make an order for parties to stay action while the subject matter is determined.

Ikpeazu further stated that based on the rules of the Federal High Court (FHC), the judge had done right by the order.

Besides, he submitted that the defence had not filed any application to set aside the ruling.

He, therefore, urged the court to proceed with the proceedings, having earlier made an order to take all the pending applications.

But Justice Abdulmalik asked Ikpeazu if he had been served with the application for stay, and he responded that they were only served the previous day.

“We were served very late yesterday, my lord,” he said.

He said he could respond to the application on points of law.

But the judge held that Ikpeazu should file a formal application in response to the motion for stay.

Justice Abdulmalik consequently adjourned the matter until Jan. 23 for hearing of the application for an order staying further proceedings in the suit.

The Turaki-led leadership of the party, in the motion on notice filed by Uche, had prayed the judge to withdraw from the suit and remit the case file to the chief judge (CJ) for reassignment to another judge for determination on its merit.

Giving twelve grounds why their application should be considered, Uche argued that the right to a fair hearing is constitutionally guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), including the right to an impartial tribunal.

The senior lawyer said the 5th to 25th defendants/applicants, in the motion, had formally petitioned the CJ of FHC, requesting that no case concerning the internal affairs or disputes of PDP be assigned to Justice Abdulmalik and two other judges of the Abuja judicial division.

This, he said, is due to alleged past antecedents and perceived partisanship in similar matters.

According to Uche, the suit, which was filed only on November 21, 2025, got its way into His Lordship’s court, and on November 25, 2025, the judge made an ex-parte order against the defendants in a format and template that was curious and in alliance with the format and template utilised by Hon. Justice Omotosho of the same court against the defendants.

He said while giving the impression on paper that the prayers in the motion were being refused, yet the judge granted even more far-reaching orders against the defendants; in fact, this similarity and pattern exceed coincidence.

Uche said the orders made ex parte by the judge when there was no real urgency touched directly on and determined the main substance of the suit at such a preliminary and interim stage.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has announced that the burial of the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, is scheduled for January 30, 2026.

The governor announced on Wednesday during a State Executive Council meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa, where he unveiled a four-day funeral programme to honour the late deputy governor.

Diri explained that the decision followed consultations between the state-appointed funeral committee, the family of the deceased and his church, all of whom agreed on the outlined arrangements.

According to the governor, funeral activities will begin on January 27 with sporting events in recognition of Ewhrudjakpo’s role overseeing the Ministry of Sports.

Day of Tributes will hold on January 28, while January 29 will feature special valedictory sessions at the State High Court and the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House.

The funeral rites will conclude on January 30 with a Requiem Mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Ofoni community, after which the late deputy governor will be laid to rest.

Gov Diri noted that the programme was prepared by the committee and approved by him.

Politics Nigeria recalls that the Deputy Governor, Ewhrudjakpo, died on December 11, 2025, at the age of 60 due to sudden illness.

Visa applicants from Nigeria, Somalia, and Russia will now face fresh uncertainty as the United States has suspended visa processing for 75 nations pending a comprehensive review of its immigration screening rules.

The move, announced by the US State Department, has caused significant concern among prospective travellers from these countries, as the halt directly affects the processing of various visa categories, including tourist, student, and work visas.

The suspension is linked to the enforcement of stricter provisions under the US immigration law, specifically the “public charge” rule. This provision allows consular officers to deny visa applications if they believe an applicant is likely to become dependent on public welfare programs.

The directive was contained in an internal memo first reported by Fox News.

Under the instruction, visa officers are to refuse applications using existing provisions of US immigration law while the review is ongoing.

The pause applies across multiple visa categories and will remain in force indefinitely until the reassessment is completed.

The countries affected span Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America, and include Nigeria, Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil and Thailand.

The policy shift is linked to the “public charge” rule, a long-standing element of US immigration law that allows authorities to deny visas to individuals considered likely to rely on public benefits.

In November 2025, the State Department issued guidance to embassies worldwide directing stricter enforcement of the rule.

That guidance expanded the factors consular officers must consider when assessing applicants, including age, health status, English proficiency, financial capacity, employment prospects and the potential need for long-term medical care.

Applicants deemed at risk of becoming dependent on public assistance can be denied entry.

Somalia has attracted particular attention from US authorities following a major fraud investigation in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered widespread abuse of taxpayer-funded welfare programmes.

Federal officials said many of those implicated were Somali nationals or Somali-Americans, a development that heightened scrutiny of visa applications linked to the country.

While Nigeria was not singled out in the memo, its inclusion places it among countries now subject to tougher migration controls at a time when many Nigerians apply annually for student, work, tourist and family-based visas to the US.

The State Department has not provided a timeline for completing the review or clarified whether humanitarian exemptions will apply.

The move is expected to deepen uncertainty for prospective travellers, students and families, particularly from developing countries, and could further strain diplomatic and people-to-people ties with affected nations.

Two more members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have appealed to their colleagues to halt the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, citing growing interventions by elders and well-meaning leaders in the state.

The lawmakers, Barile Nwakoh (Khana Constituency I) and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor Constituency II), made the appeal on Wednesday, barely 24 hours after two other legislators publicly distanced themselves from the impeachment move initiated on January 8.

The impeachment notice accused Governor Fubara of gross misconduct, including the alleged demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, and defiance of a Supreme Court judgment on legislative autonomy.

According to a report by TVC News, Nwakoh and Amadi acknowledged that the governor and his deputy may have breached certain constitutional provisions.

However, they said their decision to seek a withdrawal of the impeachment process followed sustained interventions by respected leaders within and outside Rivers State, who warned against actions capable of deepening the political crisis.

Their position aligns with that earlier taken by two other lawmakers who had withdrawn support for the impeachment plot and called for dialogue as a more constructive path to resolving the impasse.
On Monday, the Minority Leader of the House and member representing Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, alongside another legislator, addressed a press conference in Port Harcourt, urging the Assembly to exercise restraint and prioritise peace.

“We have called this press conference to appeal to our colleagues to temper justice with mercy and to explore ways of resolving this matter outside impeachment proceedings,” Nwankwo said.

He explained that their intervention was driven by appeals from elders and leaders across the state and beyond.

“We have listened to numerous pleas and calls from our elders and leaders, both within and outside Rivers State, urging leniency and caution in the handling of this matter,” he added.

With the latest development, four of the 26 lawmakers who endorsed the notice of alleged misconduct have now openly called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, raising fresh questions about the momentum and consensus behind the impeachment effort.

The Rivers State House of Assembly is expected to resume plenary on January 15, 2026, amid heightened political tension and growing calls for dialogue.

Suspected terrorists, believed to be bandits, have released 17 additional worshippers abducted from the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu, in Kogi State, following sustained negotiations and the payment of ransom.

The latest release comes weeks after intensive engagements involving families of the victims and the Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu Development Association, which has been coordinating community-led efforts to secure the freedom of the abducted worshippers.

Community sources disclosed that the Kogi State Government was not involved in the negotiations or in the releases recorded so far.

The worshippers were abducted on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when armed men stormed the ECWA church during a church activity and carted away more than 30 parishioners to an undisclosed location.

The attack triggered widespread panic and outrage within the community and neighbouring settlements.
Since the incident, families of the victims, working closely with community leaders, have been engaged in prolonged and often harrowing negotiations with the kidnappers in a desperate bid to secure the release of their loved ones.

The first breakthrough was recorded on January 1, 2026, when seven abducted worshippers were released after the payment of a ransom reportedly amounting to ₦15 million. However, the development was overshadowed by tragedy, as only four of the seven were freed alive.

Three victims were confirmed dead — two reportedly died in captivity, while one passed away after being rushed to hospital following release.
Despite the grim outcome, negotiations continued.

A local community platform, Egbe Mekun, reported that three more victims were released on Monday, January 12. This was followed by the release of 14 additional abductees on Tuesday, bringing the total number of worshippers freed so far to 24.

Community sources said 13 worshippers are still believed to be in the custody of the terrorists, as efforts to secure their release continue amid growing concern over their safety.

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has launched a decisive move to halt the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, inaugurating a seven-member peace and reconciliation committee with a clear two-week mandate to broker peace between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly.

The high-powered committee, inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday, is chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.

It is tasked with de-escalating tensions arising from the standoff between the executive and legislature, a crisis that has continued to threaten governance, stability and democratic order in the oil-rich state.

Speaking at the inauguration, PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, said the organisation was determined to nip the crisis in the bud, stressing that Rivers State, given its strategic political and economic importance to Nigeria, cannot afford prolonged instability.

Igali disclosed that the committee has been given 14 days to consult widely, facilitate dialogue and submit a comprehensive report with recommendations to the President and PANDEF’s Board of Trustees.

He said the terms of reference include identifying the principal actors in the dispute, engaging critical stakeholders such as former governors, traditional rulers and political leaders, and restoring stability, law and order in line with constitutional provisions and the democratic will of the people.

Members of the committee include former Senator representing Edo North, Senator Obende Domingo, as vice chairman; former Minister of Housing, Chief Essien Nduese; retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agari; retired Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Chief Mike Ejiofor; former Attorney-General of Cross River State, Mrs. Nella Rabana-Andem, SAN; and PANDEF Deputy National Secretary, Prince Godwin Okotie, who will serve as secretary.

Igali expressed confidence that the moral authority of PANDEF and the pedigree of the committee members would compel all parties to embrace dialogue and compromise. He noted that both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Fubara are members of PANDEF and are expected to respect the outcome of the reconciliation process.

“It is our belief that as committed members of PANDEF and leaders with a stake in the Niger Delta, all parties involved will respect the process and abide by the outcome of the committee’s work,” Igali said.

The inauguration was witnessed by prominent Niger Delta leaders, including the pioneer military governor of Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff; former Akwa Ibom State governor, Obong Victor Attah; and former Chief of Staff to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadome. The leaders charged the committee to work expeditiously to deliver lasting peace.

In his acceptance speech, Agabi described the assignment as a solemn responsibility and called on all parties, particularly Wike and Fubara, to make sacrifices, embrace forgiveness and put the interest of Rivers people above personal differences.

He warned that allowing the crisis to persist would raise serious questions about the commitment of political actors to the welfare of the state and the stability of the nation.

“Rivers State is too important to Nigeria for anyone to stand by and do nothing,” he said, cautioning against unchecked escalation of the dispute.

Using the parable of the clam and the oyster, Agabi warned that unresolved conflict could leave all parties worse off. “Let Rivers State not be like the clam and the oyster that fought on the seashore until they were picked up by a fisherman and made into a meal,” he said.

Agabi stressed that the committee was not constituted to apportion blame or sit in judgment, but to appeal for reconciliation. He urged humility, restraint and willingness to make concessions, noting that true greatness lies in the capacity to forgive.

Earlier, King Diete-Spiff appealed to the committee to ensure genuine reconciliation, praying for divine guidance and urging both the minister and the governor to embrace peace in the interest of the state. Obong Attah, in his remarks, cautioned the panel to remain neutral, insisting that its loyalty must be to the people of Rivers State, not to any individual.

With the two-week deadline now set, expectations are high that PANDEF’s intervention will succeed in ending the political impasse and restoring stability to Rivers State.

The Rivers State Police Command has invited a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alabo Tammy Danagogo, for questioning over an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Danagogo’s invitation is said to be linked to an allegedly leaked telephone conversation involving an already arrested suspect, although the official police letter sighted did not state the reason for the invitation.

However, a source familiar with the development, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the invitation followed a monitored phone call allegedly discussing plans to eliminate the former Rivers State governor.

According to the source, Danagogo was allegedly engaged in a conversation with a Port Harcourt–based pastor, Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, in which they discussed a plan to recruit Israeli nationals to carry out the assassination.

“The leaked phone conversation is already with the police. Danagogo and Pastor Tombari were allegedly discussing a plot to bring in Israelis to kill the Minister. That is why he has been invited for questioning,” the source claimed.

When contacted to confirm the development, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringo Koko, said she would verify the report and revert.

“Let me confirm and I will get back to you,” she told journalists.

The police had earlier arrested Gbeneol over the alleged assassination plot. His arrest reportedly followed the interception of a phone call between him and Danagogo.

During the monitored conversation, the two men were said to have discussed logistics for recruiting foreign nationals to execute the plot. The discussion allegedly ended with a suggestion to seek financial backing from Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to fund the operation.

As of press time, the police were yet to issue an official statement clarifying the allegations or the status of the invitation extended to the former SSG.