Tax laws: Reps caucus opposes rollout, court battle begins Wednesday
According to Dasuki, the alleged alterations were made without parliamentary approval and, if left unchecked, would violate the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The lawmakers stressed that the National Assembly remained the lawful custodian of all Acts passed into law, explaining that the gazetting process begins with the Clerk to the National Assembly transmitting authentic copies to the relevant government agency. As political and public pressure mounted, the legal battle over the tax laws formally entered the courts. Joined as respondents are the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly. However, the court declined to restrain the Federal Government and its agencies from implementing the laws, directing instead that all defendants be put on notice.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2025 03:34 UTC
US Strikes Nigeria: Military Tracks Fleeing Terrorists
The Nigerian military is monitoring Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province fighters who are fleeing their hideouts following the recent United States airstrikes, The PUNCH has learnt. US President Donald Trump announced on Christmas Day that the American military conducted lethal strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria. However, senior military officials, who spoke with our correspondent on Monday, said the military was tracking the movement of the terrorists. “Meanwhile, retired senior military officers have expressed differing opinions on the possible deployment of US troops to Nigeria. He said Nigeria could seek assistance and technology support from foreign partners, but should not depend on foreign soldiers to fight on its soil.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2025 02:45 UTC
Tinubu, Atiku Condole Anthony Joshua After Fatal Crash
“Anthony Joshua is not just a world champion, but a son of Nigeria, and we pray for his complete and speedy recovery. We thank God that Anthony Joshua survived and we pray for the souls of those who lost their lives. Analyst Adekola posted, “Sending strength and prayers to Anthony Joshua from the road accident in Makun, Ogun State today. Sha make nothing do AJ oo.”Emmanuel Uket stated, “Anthony Joshua was involved in an accident, and two people are reportedly dead. I pray he’s safe.”“Anthony Joshua in a car crash, speedy recovery champ,” Solomon (@wholesomeempire) added.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2025 01:44 UTC
The real stand-ups who helped punch up Bradley Cooper’s comedy-drama ‘Is This Thing On?’
It was abundantly clear to actor-director Bradley Cooper that if “Is This Thing On?,” his comedy-drama set in New York’s stand-up scene, lacked authenticity, the film would fail. “Bradley fell in love with the Comedy Cellar and the relationships that go on there,” Jensen recalls. “Any lingering doubt or trepidation was totally washed away immediately, because Bradley just has such clarity of vision and taste. Bradley wanted to capture what is real, and he was like, ‘If that means going off script, do it. “It was totally an improvised thing,” Jensen enthuses.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2025 00:45 UTC
Amosun commiserates with Anthony Joshua
Former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has sympathised with world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, following his involvement in a road accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State on Monday. The former governor expressed his sympathy in a statement signed by his media aide, Lanre Akinwale, and made available to PUNCH Online on Monday. The crash claimed the lives of two other occupants of a Lexus jeep and left the boxer with minor injuries. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of Anthony Joshua and the peaceful repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the crash. “I wish you a speedy and full recovery, and I pray for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2025 23:21 UTC
Anthony Joshua stable in hospital after fatal crash
Anthony Joshua is helped out of his Lexus SUV following a crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday. The Ogun and Lagos State governments have confirmed that British-Nigerian heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, and another survivor of Monday’s road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway are currently receiving medical care at a specialised hospital in Lagos. According to the statement, Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated from the scene to a specialised medical facility in Lagos, where they underwent several clinical assessments. “We appreciate the public’s concern and ask for privacy for Anthony Joshua and his family during this time,” the statement said. PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the accident occurred shortly after 11am on Monday at Makun, Ogun State, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2025 23:04 UTC
Power Restored After National Grid Collapse, NISO Confirms
Power supply has been restored nationwide after the nation’s electricity grid suffered another setback on Monday as the National Grid experienced a system disturbance that led to a partial collapse, the Nigerian Independent System Operator has said. “This has further led to the fragility and weakness of the national grid,” the operator said. According to the statement, this intervention ensured uninterrupted power supply to Oghara, Amukpe, Benin and Efunrun 132kV substations. Since the unbundling of the power sector, successive administrations have pledged reforms to stabilise the grid, improve gas supply to power plants and strengthen transmission capacity. “NISO reassures Nigerians of its continued commitment to proactive grid management and the application of best operational practices to ensure the stability and reliability of the National Grid,” the statement concluded.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2025 22:02 UTC
Tinubu speaks with Anthony Joshua after Ogun accident
President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with Nigerian-British heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, over a tragic road accident in Ogun State in which the boxer was injured and lost two of his associates. “I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital”, the statement quoted the President to have said. The President also extended his concern to Joshua’s family, noting that he contacted the boxer’s mother to offer prayers and support. Tinubu said, “Additionally, I spoke to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was in the hospital with them.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2025 21:24 UTC
Wike dismisses allegations of ‘secret’ support for Tinubu
The former Rivers State Governor stated this while reacting to comments attributed to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who suggested that some politicians were engaging in “secret” political alliances. While addressing his supporters and residents of the community, Fubara said,“If you dey support Tinubu, no follow corner. Speaking in an end-of-the-year media chat on Monday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Wike said there was nothing secretive about his support for the President. He also addressed reports of tension within Rivers State political circles, particularly over allegations that he has been interfering in meetings involving the governor and the state legislature. However, speaking in an end-of-the-year media chat on Monday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Wike said there was nothing secretive about his support for the President.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2025 20:52 UTC
Punch Facelift, powerful Sierra EV and new Avinya Luxury brand
New Punch facelift will be largely inspired by the Punch EV. Mechanically, the Tata Punch Facelift will remain unchanged. The Tata Sierra EV can be launched by mid-2026, although the company has not yet announced an official date. Sierra EV will be directly contested by trains like Hyundai Creta Electric, MG ZS EV and Mahindra BE 6. Significantly, dedicated showrooms and touchpoints will be opened for Tata Avinya to provide customers with an exclusive luxury experience.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2025 19:34 UTC
Omokri slams ‘de-marketing’ of Nigeria following Joshua crash
A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has criticised what he described as the rush by Nigerians on social media to “de-market” the country following the road accident involving ex-world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua in Ogun State. According to Omokri, before an ambulance could arrive, Joshua was already close to a hospital, all within minutes, not an hour as widely reported online. But I will still wait for the full official statement,” he said, urging Nigerians to exercise patience before passing judgment. Omokri compared the incident to international cases, noting that emergency responders often take several minutes to reach accident scenes even in developed countries. “Please be patriotic and wait for an official statement before hastily crucifying Nigeria,” he said, urging the public not to repeat past mistakes in misrepresenting emergency response operations.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2025 19:16 UTC
Anthony Joshua receiving best medical care, Ogun gov assures
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Monday assured that British-Nigerian boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, and another passenger involved in a road traffic accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway are receiving the best possible medical care, as investigations into the incident commence. “As the Governments of Ogun and Lagos States, we are closely monitoring the situation and will ensure that all affected persons receive the best possible medical care. “We pray that Almighty God grants them the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the Ogun governor prayed. According to the governor, Joshua and another passenger were taken to a specialised medical facility in Lagos, where they were assessed by medical professionals. “Anthony Joshua and another passenger were promptly evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2025 19:08 UTC
Trump’s air strikes aimed at bringing peace to Nigeria — US lawmaker
A United States congressman, Riley Moore, has defended President Donald Trump, stating that the recent US air strikes in Nigeria were intended to bring peace and security, not war, to the country. “President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria; he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death. “The strikes against ISIS on Christmas, in coordination with the Nigerian government, have given hope to the Christians in Nigeria,” Moore said. Moore countered these criticisms, arguing that the action was necessary to halt attacks on Christians, stating that Trump had previously warned about the “slaughter” of Christians. The strikes follow Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious violence and the alleged persecution of Christians in the country.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2025 17:57 UTC
NNPP urges Gov Yusuf to remain in party
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has appealed to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to remain in the party and abandon any plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), over growing speculation over his possible defection. The appeal was made by the NNPP chairman in Kano State, Suleiman Hashim Dungurawa, who said the plea is the collective position of party leaders and members in the state. He urged Governor Yusuf and other party members reportedly considering defection to reflect on the mandate given to them by voters during the 2023 general elections, stressing that the NNPP remained committed to the ideals on which it campaigned in Kano. The NNPP chairman also dismissed claims that some party officials were plotting to pitch the governor against Senator Kwankwaso. Governor Yusuf, who won the governorship election on the NNPP platform, is currently the party’s only serving governor nationwide.
Source:The Guardian
December 29, 2025 17:55 UTC
Debris from US strikes hits Kwara hotel, injures staff – Owner
A Nigerian hotel owner has reported that three of his staff were hospitalised after debris from munitions fell on his hotel following US airstrikes targeting militants in northwest Nigeria. The federal government had acknowledged that debris from the munitions fell in various locations, including “in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel,” but stated that there were no civilian casualties. “It landed inside the hotel building, caused a little bit of damage, injured three staff,” he added. Kwara State police told AFP that “as of this moment, there are no details yet. On Saturday, presidential spokesman Bwala told AFP that the strikes targeted Islamic State militants working with the Lakurawa jihadist group and “bandit” gangs.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2025 17:45 UTC