Author: Lawbreed Limited

UK law firms are bracing themselves for a money-laundering crackdown as ministers race to improve the City’s reputation ahead of a fresh financial crime review. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been designated as the new anti-money laundering watchdog for the legal sector, in a move that experts warn could result in “sharper” penalties and ultimately reshape the industry. The decision to consolidate regulation, which at present is spread across nine separate supervisors, is part of the government’s wider efforts to combat the UK’s reputation as a hub for “dirty money”. The National Crime Agency estimates that £100bn is being…

Nigerian police have charged Anthony Joshua’s driver with causing death by dangerous driving after a fatal crash that killed two people. Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was also charged with driving without a valid driving licence and “driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm and damage to property”. He is due to appear in court on 20 January. The Federal Road Safety Corps in Nigeria said they believed the vehicle was travelling “beyond the legally prescribed speed limit”. Kayode was driving the former world heavyweight boxing champion, Joshua, 36, his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami,…

The Nigerian tax system is taking a major step forward with the launch of the Nigerian Tax ID Portal, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. This initiative, introduced by the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) in collaboration with the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), is aimed at simplifying tax administration and improving compliance across Nigeria. For individuals, business owners, and corporate entities, understanding this new Tax ID system is essential for staying compliant with Nigerian tax laws. What Is the Nigerian Tax ID? The Nigerian Tax Identification (Tax ID) is a unique 13-digit number generated by the tax system and…

Nkechy Ezeh, a former executive director at Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative (ELNC), has admitted to conspiring with others to defraud a US government-funded organisation. Ezeh, an associate professor of education, pleaded guilty in a US district court in Michigan to charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion. According to the plea agreement, Ezeh admitted that “from at least 2017 through 2023, she conspired with Sharon Killebrew and others to devise a scheme to defraud and obtain $1,400,000” from ELNC, a Michigan-based nonprofit that received funding from the US department of health and human services and private donors. Court records…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of two former bankers, Sani Endurance Aferokhe and Hillary Odo, for the criminal diversion of ₦10.3 million belonging to pensioners in Enugu State. The duo were convicted by Justice A. O. Onovo of the Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, following a protracted trial that began in 2016. The convicts were arraigned on January 18, 2016, on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and stealing while they were staff of Intercontinental Bank Plc, now Access Bank Plc. According to the EFCC spokesman, Dele…

Dear Esteemed Colleague, We write to formally notify all members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that payment of the 2026 Bar Practising Fee (BPF) commences on Thursday, 1st January 2026. Kindly note that only members who pay their Bar Practising Fee on or before 31st March 2026 shall be regarded as financially compliant for the year and will be entitled to enjoy all statutory and association benefits, including but not limited to: • Right of audience before all courts in Nigeria • Lawful use of the NBA Stamp and Seal • Access to NBA welfare schemes and insurance benefits…

The Federal Government has confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States following airstrikes that hit terrorist targets in Nigeria’s Northwest. “This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the Northwest.” In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Nigerian authorities remain engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” to address terrorism and violent extremism in the country. The ministry said the collaboration, which led to precision airstrikes on terrorist targets, involves intelligence…

Amid the ongoing controversy regarding alleged discrepancies in Nigeria’s gazetted tax laws, the National Assembly has ordered the re-gazetting of the tax laws and the issuance of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the versions duly passed by both chambers. The legislative arm said this is part of an ongoing institutional review of the legislative process. Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said that the directive was jointly issued by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, in the interest of…

The House of Representatives has constituted a seven-member committee to investigate the alleged discrepancies in the gazetted tax laws. Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced members of the committees during plenary on Thursday. The committee members are Muktar Betara (chairman), Idris Wase (Plateau), James Faleke (Lagos), Sada Soli (Katsina), Iduma Igariwey (Ebonyi), Fredrick Agbedi (Bayelsa), and Babajimi Benson (Lagos). The panel is expected to compare the text passed by the national assembly with the officially gazetted copy to determine the nature and extent of the alleged inconsistencies. On Wednesday, Abdussamad Dasuki, a lawmaker from Sokoto, claimed that the gazetted…

Section 64 (1) “…the tax authority shall have the power to investigate or cause an investigation to be conducted to ascertain any violation of any tax law, whether or not such violation has been reported to the relevant tax authority.” – Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2025 (Passed by House of Representatives) “…the tax authority shall have the power to investigate or cause an investigation to be conducted to ascertain any violation of any tax law, whether or not such violation has been reported to the relevant tax authority and shall also have the power to arrest any person suspected of…