Category Nigeria News

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Tuesday walked out the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, during a closed-door session.

A lawmaker in the session told Channels Television that Adedeji was ordered out after members accused him of arrogance while responding to questions.

The executive session centred on delayed releases for zonal intervention projects.

Members have complained for weeks about unpaid contractors caused by stalled budgetary disbursements.

According to the lawmaker, Finance Minister Wale Edun informed the House that the 2024 budget must be fully funded within 48 hours.

READ ALSO: FG Directs MDAs To Defer 70% Of 2025 Capital Budget To 2026

He added that the 2025 budget will be extended to April, with 30% funding to begin immediately and 20% released before December ends.

Members insisted that these commitments must be fulfilled before any further budgetary processes.

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin following an attempted coup there. 

The request was contained in a letter read during plenary on Tuesday.

In the letter, President Tinubu explained that the Government of Benin had urgently appealed for exceptional air support from Nigeria’s Armed Forces after soldiers attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon.

Citing Section 30 (5) of Part II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President informed lawmakers that he had consulted the National Defence Council before forwarding the request.

He noted that Senate approval was now required to authorize a regional peacekeeping mission.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Remains Committed To Regional Stability, Peace – Shettima

President Tinubu warned that Benin was facing “an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and the destruction and destabilization of democratic institutions”.

The former Lagos State governor urged the Senate to act swiftly. He added that Nigeria has a historical responsibility to support Benin under the existing Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) security frameworks.

According to the President, the crisis demands “urgent external intervention” to help restore stability and prevent further breakdown of order.

READ ALSO: Benin Arrests Dozen Soldiers Over Coup Attempt – Sources

Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for immediate consideration.

Benin Republic’s attempted coup occurred on Sunday, when some military personnel announced the removal of President Patrice Talon.

The soldiers who called themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) took to national television to announce that they had met and concluded that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.

However, the country’s military thwarted the effort and regained control.

“The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure,” sources close to Talon said. “It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well.”

The attempt follows two coups in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in as many months. Benin is bordered in the north by Niger and Burkina Faso, both of which have also experienced military takeovers.

READ ALSO: Coup Attempt ‘Foiled’, Benin Government Says

In the wake of the attempted coup, ECOWAS said it will deploy a standby force to the area.

“After consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect,” the regional bloc said.

“The Regional Force shall be made up of troops from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Ghana.

The Rivers State Government has assured residents that the period of emergency rule did not derail its development agenda, insisting that its commitment to delivering infrastructure and social services remained intact despite political disruptions.

This reassurance comes as the government announced a 10-day schedule of project commissioning and flag-offs across the state.

Speaking at a joint media briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Benibo Anabraba, said the Siminalayi Fubara-led administration stayed focused throughout the political challenges and has now fully regained its stride in the initiation, execution, and completion of priority projects.

“Despite the resultant effect of the interregnum in democratic governance, this administration has taken off in earnest from where we stopped, especially in the initiation, execution, and completion of projects,” he said.

READ ALSO: Why I Dumped PDP For APC – Rivers Assembly Speaker

Anabraba noted that the government’s ability to resume its programmes seamlessly was made possible because President Bola Tinubu ensured that the administration had the opportunity to return, stabilize, and complete its mandate.

He expressed deep appreciation to the President for what he described as a fatherly intervention that protected governance continuity in the state.

“With special appreciation to the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose kindly and fatherly intervention ensured that we return to fulfill all our obligations to the people of Rivers State,” the SSG stated.

He added that the state government has outlined 10 major projects for commissioning and flag-off within the period, with additional projects to be scheduled for unveiling after the Christmas festivities.

According to him, the programme demonstrates the administration’s unwavering commitment to its social contract with the people of Rivers State.

“This activity will cut across about six Local Government Areas, including Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ikwerre, Emohua, Obio/Akpor, and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas,” he said.

Amnesty International has condemned the deadly attack on St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Lilu, Anambra State.

The organisation issued a statement on Monday, describing the incident as a gruesome assault by armed men.

Gunmen attacked the church early on Sunday, killing a man and abducting the Reverend’s wife.

Her body was later found murdered and partially unclothed.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns the gruesome attack by gunmen on St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Lilu community, Ihiala LGA, Anambra state, in the early hours of Sunday, 7 December 2025.

“The authorities must impartially and transparently investigate the attack and ensure that suspects are brought to justice,” Amnesty said.

READ ALSO: One Killed, Others Injured As Armed Criminals Attack Church In Anambra

The group also urged authorities to examine the lapses that allowed the attack.

It noted that the Agunechemba Security base is located within the church.

“The authorities must also investigate security lapses that enabled the attack, as the operational base for Agunechemba Security personnel deployed by the Anambra state government to Lilu is located in the church,” the organisation said.

Amnesty International stated that the killing reflects the government’s continued failure to protect citizens.

It added that thousands of Nigerians have suffered similar attacks in the past decade.

“This shocking incident underscores the authorities’ persistent failure to protect people from attacks by armed groups that have killed and abducted thousands of Nigerians over the past decade.

“Whatever security measures that have been implemented by the government of President Bola Tinubu are clearly ineffective,” it added.

The group stated that armed groups have taken control of several communities since 2023.

Police Confirm Attack, Investigation

The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the attack in a separate statement released on Monday.

The Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, said the church building was partly burnt during the assault, and other properties within the premises were also destroyed.

Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu condemned the incident strongly and described the attack as “heinous” and a “threat to worshippers.”

“No community should be subjected to such brutality. The command will not allow criminals to instil fear or destabilise the peace we are working tirelessly to maintain,” the commissioner said.

The police expressed sympathy to the victims’ families and the Lilu community. They assured residents that officers are working to find the attackers.

The Command said it has increased intelligence operations across the area and that security teams have been deployed and surveillance strengthened.

Here are the nominees in key categories for the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, which will be handed out on January 11.

“One Battle After Another” leads all contenders with nine nods, followed by “Sentimental Value” with eight and “Sinners” with seven.

 FILM

Best Film, Drama

“Frankenstein”

“Hamnet”

“It Was Just An Accident.”

“The Secret Agent”

“Sentimental Value”

“Sinners”

Best Film, Music, Or Comedy

“Blue Moon”

“Bugonia”

“Marty Supreme”

“No Other Choice”

“Nouvelle Vague”

“One Battle After Another”

Best Male Actor, Drama

Joel Edgerton, “Train Dreams”

Oscar Isaac, “Frankenstein”

Dwayne Johnson, “The Smashing Machine”

Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”

Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”

Jeremy Allen White, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere”

Best Female Actor, Drama

Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”

Jennifer Lawrence, “Die, My Love”

Renate Reinsve, “Sentimental Value”

Julia Roberts, “After the Hunt”

Tessa Thompson, “Hedda”

Eva Victor, “Sorry, Baby”

Best Male Actor, Musical Or Comedy

Timothee Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”

George Clooney, “Jay Kelly”

Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another”

Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon”

Lee Byung-hun, “No Other Choice”

Jesse Plemons, “Bugonia”

Best Female Actor, Musical Or Comedy

Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You”

Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked: For Good”

Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue”

Chase Infiniti, “One Battle After Another”

Amanda Seyfried, “The Testament of Ann Lee”

Emma Stone, “Bugonia”

Best Supporting Actor

Benicio Del Toro, “One Battle After Another”

Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein”

Paul Mescal, “Hamnet”

Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another”

Adam Sandler, “Jay Kelly”

Stellan Skarsgard, “Sentimental Value”

READ ALSO: Hollywood Awards Race Heats Up With Golden Globes Noms

Best Supporting Actress

Emily Blunt, “The Smashing Machine”

Elle Fanning, “Sentimental Value”

Ariana Grande, “Wicked: For Good”

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, “Sentimental Value”

Amy Madigan, “Weapons”

Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”

Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”

Guillermo Del Toro, “Frankenstein”

Jafar Panahi, “It Was Just An Accident”

Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”

Chloe Zhao, “Hamnet”

Best Non-English Language Film

“It Was Just An Accident” (France)

“No Other Choice” (South Korea)

“The Secret Agent” (Brazil)

“Sentimental Value” (Norway)

“Sirat” (Spain)

“The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia)

Best Cinematic And Box Office Achievement:

“Avatar: Fire and Ash”

“F1”

“KPop Demon Hunters”

“Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning”

“Sinners”

“Weapons”

“Wicked: For Good”

“Zootopia 2”

Best Animated Feature

“Arco”

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba — Infinity Castle”

“Elio”

“KPop Demon Hunters”

“Little Amelie or the Character of Rain”

“Zootopia 2”

 TELEVISION

Best Drama Series

“The Diplomat”

“The Pitt”

“Pluribus”

“Severance”

“Slow Horses”

“The White Lotus”

Best Male Actor, Drama

Sterling K. Brown, “Paradise”

Diego Luna, “Andor”

Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”

Mark Ruffalo, “Task”

Adam Scott, “Severance”

Noah Wyle, “The Pitt”

Best Female Actor, Drama

Kathy Bates, “Matlock”

Britt Lower, “Severance”

Helen Mirren, “Mobland”

Bella Ramsey, “The Last of Us”

Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”

Rhea Seehorn, “Pluribus”

Best Musical Or Comedy Series

“Abbott Elementary”

“The Bear”

“Hacks”

“Nobody Wants This”

“Only Murders in the Building”

“The Studio”

Best Male Actor, Musical Or Comedy

Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”

Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”

Glen Powell, “Chad Powers”

Seth Rogen, “The Studio”

Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”

Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

READ ALSO: ‘One Battle After Another’ Leads Golden Globes Noms With Nine

Best Female Actor, Musical Or Comedy

Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”

Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”

Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”

Natasha Lyonne, “Poker Face”

Jenna Ortega, “Wednesday”

Jean Smart, “Hacks”

Best Limited Series Or TV Movie

“Adolescence”

“All Her Fault”

“The Beast in Me”

“Black Mirror”

“Dying for Sex”

“The Girlfriend”

Best Male Actor, Limited Series Or TV Movie

Jacob Elordi, “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”

Paul Giamatti, “Black Mirror”

Stephen Graham, “Adolescence”

Charlie Hunnam, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story”

Jude Law, “Black Rabbit”

Matthew Rhys, “The Beast in Me”

Best Female Actor, Limited Series Or TV Movie

Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me”

Rashida Jones, “Black Mirror”

Amanda Seyfried, “Long Bright River”

Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”

Michelle Williams, “Dying for Sex”

Robin Wright, “The Girlfriend”

FILMS WITH THE MOST NOMINATIONS

“One Battle After Another” – 9

“Sentimental Value” – 8

“Sinners” – 7

“Hamnet” – 6

“Frankenstein” – 5

“Wicked: For Good” – 5

A 63-year-old resident of the Precious Seed community in Oworonshoki, Lagos, has appealed to the state government and the public for urgent assistance after the demolition of her home left her and her family without shelter.

The widow, Rebecca Omolayo, spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, explaining that she has been unable to secure any form of accommodation for herself, her children, and her grandchildren since the demolition exercise.

“There is nothing we can do. They should please have mercy on us,” she pleaded. “We are begging good people that if they have any house that is free to help us, we are ready, because some of us do not have any hope.”

READ ALSO: Demolition: Group Accuses Lagos Taskforce Of Demanding ₦1m From Oworonshoki Residents 

For months, several parts of Oworonshoki, including Ajileru, Osasa Extension, and Toluwalase Street, have been affected by demolition exercises carried out by the Lagos State Government over claims of illegal structures, environmental concerns, and building safety violations.

The operation has displaced many families in the area.

Residents have, however, repeatedly insisted that many of the demolished houses were neither illegal nor shanties. Their complaints prompted the Lagos State High Court to issue a restraining order on October 23, 2025, stopping further demolitions.

Despite the order, the Precious Seed community was pulled down on November 27 allegedly without prior notice, leaving scores of residents homeless.

Omolayo also alleged that before the demolition, some individuals received payments ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦300,000, which she said were given only to select indigenes of Oworonshoki.

“Even most of the people given money don’t have houses in Oworonshoki. They are just indigenes and they went to the Oba’s house to collect it,” she claimed.

Several residents have accused the Oba of Oworonshoki, Babatunde Saliu, of backing the demolition in order to reclaim waterfront land for private development.

The monarch has denied the allegation, insisting that he, too, lost property in the exercise, though he has been involved in distributing funds to some displaced persons.

Omolayo said life has become extremely unstable for her family since their home was destroyed.

“We go everywhere together because I can’t leave my children and grandchildren alone,” she said.