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n a landmark anti-corruption move, a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties valued at approximately ₦213.23 billion, allegedly linked to the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his sons.

The ruling was delivered on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex-parte application moved by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court held that the assets are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The Gombe State Government has officially signed contract agreements for the execution of several major infrastructure projects valued at over ₦35 billion. This development follows the approval by the State Executive Council (SEC), presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and aims to expand the state's road network, upgrade public facilities, and enhance urban connectivity. The projects, which cover strategic locations across the state, are a central component of the administration's "Network 11-100" initiative, designed to construct at least 100 kilometres of roads in each of the 11 local government areas.

In Rivers State, politics has once again spilled beyond party lines and campaign rhetoric into the foundations of bricks, mortar, and land titles. As 2026 opens, the escalating rivalry between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has evolved into more than a contest for political relevance, it has become a defining stress test for investor confidence, urban renewal, and the future shape of one of Nigeria’s most valuable subnational economies.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) have formally contested the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding a lawsuit over the revocation of operating licences for ASO Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc. The regulatory bodies argue that the judiciary lacks the competence to adjudicate on the matter, asserting that the withdrawal of the licences was a valid exercise of statutory powers. This legal confrontation arises as stakeholders seek to overturn the apex bank's decision to shut down the two primary mortgage institutions.

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, has detailed how the transition of the agency into the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) will serve as the catalyst for a total overhaul of the country's fiscal landscape. Speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Adedeji clarified that the move, enshrined in the Nigeria Tax Bill, is designed to replace the current fragmented tax system with a modern, functional framework. This shift is expected to centralise revenue activities and provide a more transparent environment for both domestic and international investors.

As of early 2026, the diplomatic landscape between Washington and Abuja has been fundamentally recalibrated. Under the second administration of President Donald Trump, the relationship has shifted from traditional diplomatic cooperation to a high-stakes, transactional model. Defined by a "Trade, Not Aid" mantra and aggressive national security stances, the "Trump 2.0" era is presenting both existential risks and unique opportunities for Africa's most populous nation.

_{^{Produced by: Amarachi Okeke}}