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Court Stops Abuja Area Councils from Collecting Tenement Rates

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Abuja tenement rates

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A court in Abuja has described the collection of tenement rates by the six area councils of the Federal Territorial Capital (FCT) from property owners as unconstitutional and has consequently barred them from further collecting the propter tax.

Justice Valentine Ashi held that the collection of the property tax by the six councils was usurpation of functions donated to the National Assembly by the Constitution.

“An area council in the FCT is equivalent to a local government area in a state in the light of section 318 [1] of the constitution.

“By virtue of section 299 [a], the national assembly is conferred with exclusive legislative competence over and in respect of the FCT.

“However, until the National Assembly amends or enact another law to replace the Local Government Act, it remains the law in force the governs the area councils, as an existing law, within orbit of the provisions of section 315 of the constitution and in reading and applying its provision, even by the court, it must be read with such modifications as may be necessary to bring it into conformity with the provisions of the constitution,” Justice Ashi held.

The area councils were taken to court by Planned Shelter Ltd on behalf of property owners in the nation’s seat of power.

In the same judgement, the court also nullified and set aside the various bylaws enacted by the area councils to give legal backing to the collection, saying they have no power and capacity to assess, determine, demand and legislate on tenement rate without strict compliance with the provision of section 1 of the 4th schedule of the 1999 constitution.

They were therefore prohibited from taking further steps whatsoever aimed at giving effect to the purported by-laws for the collection of tenement rates from any person or entity pending when the national assembly shall give effect to the provision of section 1 of the 4th schedule of the 1999 constitution.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Dangote Unveils Phone Number to Report MRS Stations Selling PMS Above N739

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Dangote monopoly Political Economy of Failure

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.

This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.

“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.

“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.

The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.

Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.

By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.

The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.

“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.

Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.

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ANLCA Airport Chapter Scores Salamatu High on Stakeholder Engagement, Trade Facilitation

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ANLCA Airport Chapter

By Bon Peters

The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.

At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.

At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.

“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.

He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.

The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating  trade and increasing Revenue generation.”

“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.

“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.

“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.

Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.

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FG Declares Holidays for Christmas, New Year Celebrations

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as public holidays

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.

The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.

He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.

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