Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised alarm about a fake and unauthorized website falsely claiming to be an “INEC Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment Portal 2026.”

The Commission raised the alarm in a statement published on its website late Tuesday.

Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), has allayed fears that the new tax reform framework could be weaponised by the Federal Government to target political opponents or individuals based on affiliation.

Dr. Zacch Adedeji

Adedeji, responding to concerns over potential selective enforcement or politically motivated tax scrutiny, insisted the reforms prioritise national interest, transparency, due process, and institutional accountability.

Addressing speculations on suppressing opposition voices ahead of elections, he said: “I think the question you will ask is that we need to commend the courage of Mr. President, that despite the fact that there is an election coming, he is courageous enough to continue on this path of statesmanship and not of politicians.”

The NRS boss explained that it would have been politically expedient to shelve the reforms during an election cycle, but President Bola Tinubu opted to strengthen the country’s fiscal foundation and economic governance.

He outlined that the agenda targets structural tax system weaknesses, enhances fairness, and fosters a simplified, predictable compliance environment to boost voluntary participation over coercion.

Adedeji attributed public scepticism to Nigeria’s history of perceived institutional misuse, but stressed the new framework minimises administrative discretion through rule-based processes, automation, accountability, and governance safeguards insulated from political influence.

According to him, the reforms emphasise taxpayer trust, linking taxes to visible public service improvements while expanding growth opportunities and sustainable public finances.

He reaffirmed the focus on economic stability, credible institutions, phased implementation, investment support, vulnerable group protection, and freedom from partisan interference.

An Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Monday sentenced Olawale Faleti, a former Lagos State Education director, to two years and five months’ imprisonment for stealing ₦48.9 million from Access Bank Plc.

Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted Faleti, 64, on five counts of stealing after finding him guilty of charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In his judgment, Oshodi said the offence was deliberate and sustained, noting that Faleti carried out repeated withdrawals despite knowing he had no authorisation to access the funds.

The judge added that the convict failed to show genuine remorse or fully accept responsibility for his actions.

“Financial institutions are the lifeblood of our economy and public confidence in them must be preserved,” Oshodi said, adding that “Those who attempt to defraud or steal from banks must understand that severe consequences will follow.”

While acknowledging Faleti as a first-time offender, the court said a custodial sentence was unavoidable.

The judge applied a 20 per cent reduction from the three-year maximum sentence, citing minimal restitution efforts as a mitigating factor.

Faleti was sentenced to two years and five months’ imprisonment on each of the five counts, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.

The court directed that the sentence take effect from January 5, 2026, and ordered that Faleti’s biometric details and name be entered into the Lagos State Judiciary offenders’ registry.

After deducting ₦3 million already restituted, the court ordered Faleti to pay an outstanding ₦45.9 million to Access Bank Plc, directing the bank to notify the court upon full recovery of the funds.

Earlier, Mr Ahmed Dambuwa, EFCC counsel, told the court that Faleti dishonestly converted ₦48.9 million belonging to the bank by exploiting unauthorised access to an Access Bank credit card.

He said the card permitted withdrawals of not less than ₦43,000 per transaction, but a system glitch enabled Faleti to withdraw about ₦48 million during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

One of the charges stated that between July 2 and July 10, 2020, Faleti converted ₦12.6 million for personal use, while another alleged that between May 22 and July 1, 2020, he converted ₦6.9 million, all property of Access Bank Plc.

The offences were said to contravene Section 287(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.