On Tuesday, following a motion of urgent national importance by member Oboku Oforji, the House of Representatives called for the immediate suspension of the 50% increase in telecom tariffs.

The House criticized the poor service provided by telecom operators and insisted that tariff hikes should not take place until service quality improves.

Lawmakers directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to halt the tariff increase due to the ongoing economic hardship in the country.

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This decision came as telecom operators began implementing the new tariff regime, which had been approved by the NCC.

Subscribers across social media platforms noted a 50% rise in the costs of calls, data, and text messages on Tuesday.

As of December 2023, Nigeria had over 224 million telecom subscribers, with MTN leading the market with over 87 million subscribers, followed by Globacom and Airtel, each with 61 million, and 9mobile with 13.9 million users.

Earlier in January, the NCC had approved a 50% tariff hike for telecom operators, with a spokesman, Reuben Muoka, explaining that although the price adjustment was lower than the “over 100%” increase requested by some operators, it was made in light of ongoing industry reforms aimed at ensuring sustainability.

The NCC justified the increase under its powers outlined in Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

Both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had threatened industrial action over the tariff hike, but later called off their protests after last-minute negotiations with the government.

Many Nigerians are currently grappling with what has been described as the worst economic crisis in decades, triggered by the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira.

These policies have led to severe inflation, with petrol prices soaring from under N200 per litre to over N1,100, and the naira depreciating from around N700 to N1,600 per dollar.

As a result, food and commodity prices have skyrocketed, plunging Nigerians into a severe cost-of-living crisis.

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged northern politicians with presidential ambitions for 2027 to abandon their plans, stating that President Bola Tinubu will serve two full terms in office.

Ganduje made this statement on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre and the Tinubu Northern Youth Forum at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

He argued that it would be unjust to deny Tinubu a second term in 2027, considering that a northern leader had previously served two full terms. “When a leader from the North held office for eight years, we insisted that the next president should come from the South.

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We worked hard with the support of Nigerians, and now, our president is from the South. Insha Allah, he will serve a second term in 2027, and then it will be the North’s turn again,” Ganduje stated.

The former governor of Kano State expressed his confidence in Tinubu’s policies, highlighting that the economic reforms being implemented are already producing positive outcomes. “Our president is a reformer and a visionary leader.

His policies are crucial for Nigeria’s social and economic growth. Many issues have developed over time, and fixing them requires precision. However, we are already seeing improvements, especially in the economy,” he said.

Ganduje also discussed the APC Progressive Institute, which aims to educate party members about the party’s constitution, manifesto, and programs, while offering policy recommendations to the government.

Meanwhile, Olusegun Dada, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, assured that the PBAT Media Centre would work to correct misinformation about the administration and highlight its achievements ahead of the 2027 elections. “We will ensure that Nigerians receive accurate information about the President’s policies and progress,” he said.

Ganduje reiterated his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, promising that the APC leadership would maintain its zoning formula and ensure stability within the party.

On Wednesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate, arraigned Precious Uzondu on a two-count charge for allegedly refusing to accept the Naira as legal tender.

The EFCC made the announcement in a statement shared on their X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday.

The charges state that Uzondu rejected Naira, Nigeria’s official currency, and instead accepted $5,700 as payment for a Carter diamond bracelet with serial number 12345678.

His actions allegedly violated Section 20 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

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The statement revealed that on February 5, 2025, Uzondu was arraigned before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. One of the charges read: “On December 10, 2024, in Lagos, you refused to accept Naira (Nigeria’s legal tender) by accepting $5,700 for the purchase of a Carter diamond bracelet, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 20 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

Uzondu pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Hannatu U. Kofar Naisa, requested a trial date and asked that Uzondu be remanded in a correctional facility.

The defendant’s counsel, Jennifer Achinuagole, mentioned a pending bail application and asked the court to adopt it.

In response, Kofar Naisa presented a counter-affidavit and written address, urging the court to reject the bail application.

After hearing from both parties, Justice Owoeye granted Uzondu bail in the amount of N5 million, with two sureties in a similar sum.

The sureties must own verified landed property in Lagos and submit an affidavit of means.

The defendant was remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, and the trial was adjourned to April 8, 2025.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that customers will now incur charges when using Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of banks that are not their own.

This decision was communicated in a circular dated February 10, 2025, addressed to all banks and financial institutions, signed by John Onojah, the CBN’s Acting Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department.

The circular clarified that the three free monthly withdrawals previously allowed for remote-on-us transactions (withdrawals from other banks’ ATMs) would no longer apply.

It outlined that starting from March 1, 2025, banks and financial institutions would be required to implement the following charges:

• Customers withdrawing from their own bank’s ATMs will not be charged.
• Customers withdrawing from another bank’s ATM will incur a fee of ₦100 for every ₦20,000 withdrawn.
• For off-site ATMs (those located outside a bank’s premises, such as in shopping malls or eateries), an additional surcharge of up to ₦500 per ₦20,000 will apply, along with the standard ₦100 fee for withdrawals made by customers of other banks.

The CBN explained that the decision to revise the charges was due to rising costs and a need to enhance the efficiency of ATM services across the country. The circular further noted that this review is aimed at accelerating ATM deployment and ensuring financial institutions apply the appropriate charges to consumers.

Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has expressed concern over the growing trend of Nigerian governors abandoning their states and residing permanently in Abuja.

He made this statement during a visit to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, for the distribution of CNG buses to the NLC chapter.

Ajaero explained that the NLC leadership had visited five zones, but in most cases, the governors were absent, having traveled to Abuja.

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He highlighted that this trend has worsened the economic challenges in many states.

“We’ve visited about five zones, and Kogi is the fifth. We’ve only met governors in one state. Whenever we go there, they are in Abuja, and this is negatively impacting governance,” Ajaero said.

He emphasized the importance of managing both the central and state levels of government so that citizens can feel the benefits of democracy and have access to their leaders.

He added, “If the governor is around, we will convey your concerns to him. If he’s not, we will pass them on to whoever he sends.”

Ajaero also addressed the issue of governors attempting to ban labor unions, specifically reacting to former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello’s actions.

He stated, “Union practice is under the exclusive legislative list in the Constitution. No governor has the authority to ban unions, as they are registered nationally by the Registrar of Trade Unions. State governments cannot ban what they don’t control.”

The NLC president expressed surprise that such actions had been taken in the state, noting that the state government lacked the legal right to proscribe unions.

Ajaero also pointed out the harsh economic realities faced by workers, particularly the high cost of living, and warned that any proposed tariff increases would only exacerbate the situation.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, addressed rumors regarding his potential arrest upon his return from Cairo, Egypt.

He shared this information on his X handle while responding to a post by supporter Imran U. Wakili on Tuesday.

El-Rufai confirmed he had heard the rumors, which have been circulating since July 2024 when the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s report began to spread.

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He dismissed the threats, stating he would return to Nigeria on February 20 to attend the book launch of former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB).

El-Rufai explained that the rumors intensified after they challenged the legality of the defamation campaign against him, which had led to attempts to interfere with the judicial process, including ongoing actions at the Court of Appeal.

In his post, El-Rufai mentioned receiving similar threats through his friends, family, and political associates, with the aim of pressuring him into self-imposed exile, a plan he rejected.

He also revealed that he would be halting his academic pursuits to spend more time in Nigeria.

He further expressed that while the arrest, detention, and torture of political opponents are not new, he had been arrested and detained three times in the past for expressing his views.

He emphasized that political life continues after such events, and regarding death, it is determined by Allah.

In closing, he assured his supporters that he planned to return to Nigeria in time for the launch of President IBB’s memoirs on February 20.

He reiterated his reliance on Allah, stating, “We fear no mortal but Almighty Allah,” and that what will happen is ultimately in Allah’s hands.

Ibrahim Mohammed, a young man, was stabbed to death by suspected hoodlums in the Funtua local government area of Katsina State early Tuesday.

According to eyewitnesses, the event happened at 5:30 a.m. on Danja Road in the Kasuwan Mata district of Funtua town.

Mohammed, also known as Elana, had ventured out to worship at a local mosque when he was confronted by the hoodlums.

“They demanded he surrender his phone to them, threatening him with a knife, but he refused, and a scuffle ensued thereafter,” according to someone who knows the area.

Mohammed was fatally stabbed during the struggle, which shocked his family and neighbourhood.

He was buried at 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning, according to Islamic customs, with mourners flocking to his home to console his family.

The terrible occurrence has sparked concerns about the State’s growing insecurity and violence, with citizens urging for stronger police presence and measures to combat the problem.

A 26-year-old woman, Rachael, has shared how she sold her two-week-old baby for N600,000 after struggling to provide for the child.

It was revealed that the baby was originally sold for N4 million to a 42-year-old woman looking to adopt, but Rachael only received N600,000 from the transaction.

Rachael, a resident of Asaba, Delta State, was paraded at the State Police Command along with two accomplices by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Bright Edafe.

She explained that she already had one male child and was finding it difficult to care for both children.

The father of the two-week-old baby had denied paternity, and Rachael gave birth on January 27, 2025.

“I gave the baby away because I am the only one taking care of her,” Rachael said.

She further explained how she managed during her pregnancy, saying, “I took care of myself; I struggled, going to people’s compounds to clean and do other chores.”

Rachael was introduced to a woman who she asked for help because she couldn’t afford to care for two children.

The woman gave her N600,000 and instructed her to give her N30,000.

The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, admitted to selling the baby for N3.5 million and confirmed that she gave Rachael N600,000.

She added that Rachael mentioned she planned to use the money to start a business.

The 42-year-old woman who intended to adopt the baby said she paid N4 million for the child.

She mentioned, “There is a lady in my area whom I told that I wanted to adopt a child legitimately” and reassured that the adoption documents were being processed.

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the death of Nnaemeka Ugwu, a patent medicine dealer from Umuezejor, Obollo-Afor in Udenu Local Government Area, who died at the Nsukka Area Command.

Nnaemeka had gone to the station to secure the release of his wife, who was in custody.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the police denied allegations that Nnaemeka was tortured to death by officers at the Nsukka Area Command.

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His relatives had shared a viral video claiming that he was harassed, detained, and tortured by police while trying to get his wife released.

However, the police command refuted these claims, stating that Nnaemeka collapsed at the station, was rushed to the hospital, and later died.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, labeled the accusations of torture as misleading and an attempt to misinform the public. He explained that Nnaemeka was never arrested, harassed, or tortured by police.

The initial arrests involved suspects related to armed robbery and the theft of motorcycles, which led to further arrests, including that of Nnaemeka’s wife in connection with the crime.

Ndukwe clarified that on February 7, 2025, Nnaemeka, accompanied by Hon. Onyemaechi, visited the Nsukka Area Command to try to secure his wife’s release.

During the visit, he suddenly collapsed and was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His body has been placed in the morgue for preservation and autopsy.

Enugu State Police Commissioner, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and ordered a discreet investigation into the cause of Nnaemeka’s sudden collapse and death.

He also urged the community to cooperate with the police, maintain peace, and use proper channels to express grievances.

Amos Magaji, the representative for Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, has switched from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, during a plenary session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Abbas attributed Magaji’s defection to the ongoing crisis within the PDP and encouraged APC members in the house to welcome him into their fold.

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However, the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, opposed the defection, referencing Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the consequences for lawmakers who defect.

Chinda pointed out that the section stipulates that a lawmaker who defects to another party automatically loses their seat in the house.

His objection was met with strong disapproval from several colleagues. In response, the Speaker advised Chinda to submit his point of order in writing to the relevant authorities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this provision may not be absolute, given a proviso that could potentially allow for exceptions in cases of defection.