Ibadan – The House of Representatives on Thursday approved a 10-year jail term or a fine of N75 million for anyone found guilty of forging nomination papers or result forms, or willfully defacing or destroying election-related documents.
The decision followed the House’s consideration of amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, during which lawmakers approved an upward review of the fine from N50 million.
The House also approved a fine of N5 million for the improper use of a voter’s card.
However, the lawmakers rejected a recommendation seeking to impose a two-year jail term on individuals who financially or materially induce delegates to influence the outcome of party primaries, congresses or conventions. Members argued that such a provision could be abused by political opponents to witch-hunt candidates.
The House also deleted an existing provision that mandates the cancellation of votes and the conduct of a fresh election in polling units where over-voting is established.
Senate confirms 34 career, 30 non-career ambassadors
The Senate has just confirmed the appointment of the remaining 64 ambassadorial nominees.
Thirty-four (34) of them are career ambassadors while the other 30 are non-career ambassadors.
Among the career ambassadors are Arewa Esther (Oyo State); Adeola-Ibrahim Mopelola (Ogun); Ramat Omonbolale (Lagos); Monica Okechukwu Enebechi (Anambra); Adams Jane Basset (Cross River); Mohammed Lele (Bauchi); Muhammad Dahiru (Kaduna).
Those on the list of non- career include Ajimobi Florence (Oyo); Sulola Akande (Oyo); Uguwanyi Ifeanyi (Enugu); Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom); Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun); Jerry Manwe (Taraba); Reno Omokri (Delta); Ibas Ibok-Ette (Cross River); Abdulrahman Dambazzau (Kano); and Abas Braimah (Edo).
The Senate earlier confirmed three other non-career ambassadors, bringing to the total number of confirmed nominees to 67.
President Tinubu reconstitutes NERC board
President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission following the Senate’s confirmation of its members on December 16.
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Dr Mulisiu Olalekan Oseni has been appointed Chairman of the commission.
Oseni, who joined the commission as a commissioner in January 2017 and later served as Vice Chairman, assumed office as chairman on December 1, 2025.
Terrorism: AGF, NBA, others oppose death penalty for kidnapping
Key justice and human rights stakeholders on Thursday opposed a Senate proposal seeking to prescribe the death penalty for kidnapping under a proposed amendment to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, warning that capital punishment would neither deter crime nor enhance national security.
The opposition was expressed at a one-day public hearing organised by the Senate Joint Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; National Security and Intelligence; and Interior.
The Bill seeks to classify kidnapping, hostage-taking and related offences as acts of terrorism and to impose the death penalty without an option of fine or alternative sentence.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alongside the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Department of State Services (DSS) and other stakeholders, raised legal, constitutional and policy concerns over the proposal.
Fagbemi urged lawmakers to remove the death penalty clause, noting that while the executive shares the legislature’s determination to combat terrorism and violent crime, the proposed punishment could prove counterproductive.
Court orders INEC to accept Labour Party’s candidates for FCT council polls
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been ordered to grant the Labour Party (LP) access code to enable it to upload the names and particulars of its nominated candidates for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council election scheduled to hold in February 2026
INEC is also ordered to upload the names and particulars of the LP’s nominated candidates for the FCT area council election and publish the same at the respective six area councils for public scrutiny within 48 hours pending the hearing of an existing motion on notice filed by the LP.
Justice J. O. E. Adeyemi-Ajayi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) issued the orders on December 16 while ruling on an ex parte motion for interim injunctions filed by the LP and moved by its lawyer, Christian Elom.
There are 5 cabals in Tinubu’s govt – Charles Omole
The author of From Soldier to Statesman, Charles Omole, has said that there are five cabals within the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television on Thursday, Omole said the first cabal is headed by the President himself.
According to him, others include the Femi Gbajabiamila–Wike group, the Seyi Tinubu group and the First Lady, Remi Tinubu group.
Ngige makes surprise appearance at APC caucus meeting after bail
A former Anambra State Governor, Chris Ngige, on Thursday made a surprise appearance at the All Progressives Congress caucus meeting in Abuja, hours after regaining his freedom from the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Ngige, a former Minister of Labour and Employment, had been remanded in Kuje prison over alleged corruption charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He was granted bail earlier on Thursday after meeting the conditions set by the court.
The former governor arrived at the State House Conference Centre shortly after the President had taken his seat for the meeting.
Plateau gov, Mutfwang, joins APC
Plateau Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection was announced by the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Yilwatda, who hails from Plateau, disclosed that Mutfwang’s decision to join the APC further strengthens the party’s hold on the North-Central geopolitical zone.
Denying your spouse sex could attract jail term – Ghana Police
A senior officer of the Ghana Police Service has said that denying one’s spouse sexual relations could amount to emotional abuse and attract a jail term under the country’s domestic violence laws.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dennis Fiakpui, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Thursday.
Fiakpui, who is the Oti Regional Deputy Police Commander, said Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act 732 of 2007 recognises certain conduct within marriage and intimate relationships as emotional abuse.
According to him, a spouse who deliberately withholds sex in a manner that causes emotional distress to their partner could face legal consequences if a complaint is filed and the offence is proven in court.
