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Kidnapping, Cultism: RVHA Okays Death Penalty For Offenders …Passes Three Bills Into Law …As RSG Hails Killing Of Waney’s CSO In Delta
Finally, three bills seeking to amend the Rivers State Secret Cult and Similar Amendment Bill 2018, Rivers State Nieghbourhood Safety Corps Bill 2018 and Rivers State Kidnap Prohibition Amendment No 2 Bill 2018 were passed into law by the Rivers State House of Assembly, yesterday.
The new kidnap and secret cult bills have death penalties attached to them, as culprits are to face capital punishment, if found guilty by the courts.
The Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bill is to boost security and enhance citizen and security agencies’ collaboration in protecting the state.
Before the bills were passed into law by the legislators, they had intense debate on whether death penalty should be attached to them, but majority of the lawmakers backed capital punishment.
Member representing Emohua Constituency, Hon Samuel Ogeh supported death penalty as he quoted the Bible, arguing that even natural justice demands that anyone who takes life should also be killed.
Hon Chisolm Dike of Oyigbo Contituency also spoke in favour of capital punishment as he enumerated the negative image kidnappers and cultists have given the state in recent times.
Dike insisted that death penalty will serve as deterrent to would be contraveners.
Barineh Deeyah of Khana Constituency I supported Dike as he listed the economic implications of such acts, particularly in driving away investors.
However, Deputy Speaker, Hon Marshall Uwom expressed a different view, and sought for severe measures outside capital punishment for offenders.
On his part, the Speaker, Rt Hon Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani said that time had come for the state to act very tough on such social vices.
“Kidnap is a crime against humanity and against God. We will not relent in our effort to bring about good governance,” he added, and ruled that death penalty should be included as measure for punishing culprits.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has restated its commitment to sustain support for security agencies’ concerted efforts to fight crime and criminalities, including cult-related violence in the state.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah said this while reacting to the killing of Augustine Agulegbu, the Chief Security Officer of notorious kidnapper, late Don Waney, in a battle with operatives of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Okah said that the state government would continue to support the security agencies to deliver on their mandate of maintaining law and order, and ensuring the peace and security of the state, adding that it would not rest until all those declared wanted in connection with the New Year Day killings in Omoku are brought to justice.
The Tide learnt that Agulegbu, who led the killing of 23 persons on New Year Day in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, was killed on February 14, 2018.
The operation, which led to the killing of Agulegbu was carried out by troops of 222 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services in Rivers State.
Agulegbu, described as the sixth in command to Waney, was traced to his hideout at a location along New Sapele Road, Obiaruku in Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State in the early hours of February 14, 2018.
A statement by the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Col Aminu Iliyasu said Agulegbu was shot in an encounter with the security operatives and died before reaching the hospital.
Illiyasu added that Agulegbu’s body has been brought to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and handed over to the Rivers State Police Command.
It was gathered that Agulegbu, also known as Nana, was an integral part of Don Waney’s killer squad known as ‘The Red Squad’ and was the second-in-command to Emenike, the leader of the squad.
It was learnt that the deceased was until his death the sixth-in-command to the slain Don Waney.
The main leader of the Don Waney’s killer squad (Emenike) had since been declared wanted by the Rivers State Security Council.
It was also gathered that Emenike was one of those granted amnesty by the Imo State Government, last week.
Speaking in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the LGA, Osi Olisa, confirmed the killing of Agulegbu, disclosing that the deceased’s corpse was displayed at the local government secretariat in Omoku, last Wednesday.
Olisa expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and the DSS for their commitment towards ensuring that peace returned to the area.
He said, “The once bewildered people of ONELGA are beginning to lead a normal life once again. The return of peace may not have been possible without the commitment of our peace-loving Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
“We also appreciate all the security agencies, especially the Department of State Services and the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, for the killing of Don Waney’s CSO, Augustine Agulegbu, a.k.a. Nana.
“The crackdown on the chief security officer of the late Omoku gang leader, Johnson Igwedibia, a.k.a. Don Waney, is part of the ongoing efforts to cleanse ONELGA of all social vices.
“As a local government council, we shall continue to offer our best support to the Government of Rivers State and all the security agencies to make ONELGA safe for everyone.”
Also speaking, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the killing of Agulegbu, adding that the hoodlum was shot dead during a sting operation.
Omoni added that the operation that led to Agulegbu’s death was carried out by the DSS operatives in a community in Delta State.
Omoni confirmed that Agulegbu was the sixth-in-command in Don Waney’s gang, stating that security operatives would continue to comb the forest in search of criminals in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has now received a total of 129 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.
The update was provided during the commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, yesterday.
According to a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, seven new applications were submitted within the past week, adding to the previous number.
“At its regular weekly meeting held today, Thursday 10th July 2025, the commission received a further update on additional requests from associations seeking registration as political parties.
“Since last week, seven more applications have been received, bringing the total number so far to 129. All the requests are being processed,” the commission stated.
The commission revealed the introduction of a new digital platform for political party registration. The platform is part of the Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System and aims to streamline the registration process.
Olumekun disclosed that final testing of the portal would be completed within the next week.
“INEC also plans to release comprehensive guidelines to help associations file their applications using the new system.
“Unlike the manual method used in previous registration, the Commission is introducing a political party registration portal, which is a module in our Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System.
“This will make the process faster and seamless. In the next week, the commission will conclude the final testing of the portal before deployment.
“Thereafter, the next step for associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage will be announced. The commission will also issue guidelines to facilitate the filing of applications using the PFRAS,” the statement added.
In the meantime, the list of new associations that have submitted applications has been made available to the public on INEC’s website and other official platforms.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.
The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.
“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.
Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.
Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”
Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”
He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.
According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”
He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.
The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.
However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.
At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.
They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.
After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.
By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.
In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.
“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.
“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.
The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.
“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”
The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.
Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.
However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.
Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.
A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.
It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.
The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.
“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
But lawmakers rejected the request.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.
“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.
“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.
Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.
The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”
Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.
The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.
Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.
The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.