President Bola Tinubu has approved the introduction of a 15 per cent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel imports into Nigeria.

The initiative is aimed at protecting local refineries and stabilising the downstream market, but it is likely to raise pump prices.

In a letter dated October 21, 2025, reported publicly on October 30, 2025, and addressed to the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Tinubu directed immediate implementation of the tariff as part of what the government described as a “market-responsive import tariff framework.”

The letter, signed by his Private Secretary, Damilotun Aderemi, and obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, conveyed the President’s approval following a proposal by the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Zacch Adedeji.

Justice Benjamin Lawan Manji of the Adamawa State High Court , Adamawa State has convicted and sentenced the managing director, Bonghe Micro Finance Bank, Grace Andreas Karka to five years imprisonment.

Karka was prosecuted on two- count charges bordering on criminal conspiracy and cheating to the tune of N32,000,000( Thirty Two Million Naira) by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

One the charges reads:

“that you Grace Andreas Karka and prince Moses Batalu between August 2020 and March 2021 in Yola, Adamawa State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did agree amongst yourselves to do an illegal act to wit theft in the sum of N66,792,960.00 from Bonghe Micro Finance Bank Nigeria Limited with account number 2013668857 domiciled with First bank Nigeria limited by dishonestly moving the said sum without necessarry approval contrary to Section 61(2) of the Adamawa State penal Code Law 2018

Upon her arraignment on November 11,2024, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the two -count charges, setting the stage for full trial.

In the course of trial, prosecution counsel Mubarak Tijani called in witnesses and tendered several documents to prove his case while the defence counsel called in three witnesses.

Justice Manji on October 17, 2025 while delivering judgment said the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and went on to convict the defendant accordingly on counts one and two. The judge also sentenced Karka to five years imprisonment with an option of N3,000,000( Three Million Naira) each on counts one and two. The sentence is to run concurrently.

In addition, the court ruled that the convict should restitute the balance of N29, 877.040 (Twenty Nine Million Eight Hundred and Seventy -Seven Thousand Forty Naira only) to the petitioner.

Karka’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when sometimes in 2021, the petitioner, Bonghe Micro Finance Bank carried out an audit on the accounts of the bank domiciled with First bank of Nigeria Ltd. The audit revealed unbalanced account and irregular flow of transfers to a certain account holder who was not a customer of the bank. Further checks later discovered that it was Karka, then managing director of the bank who transferred the total sum of N32,000,000 to one prince Moses Batalu without the necessary approval. The bank added that all efforts to recover the said sum proved abortive.

The Senate has confirmed Bernard Doro as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following a brief screening session that lasted less than 30 minutes.

Doro, who becomes the third ministerial nominee from Plateau State, used the opportunity to outline his vision for fostering an inclusive humanitarian ecosystem in the country.

He promised to create a humanitarian ecosystem that is inclusive, guided by impartiality and independence.

Doro told lawmakers during his appearance that he will create synergy between security agencies to better target the individuals affected by crises, which he notes is always a challenge.

He believes technology can play a vital role in achieving this.

After a few questions, senators expressed satisfaction with his credentials and capacity to serve. The lawmakers subsequently asked him to take a bow and leave.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Doro as a minister last week following the resignation of Nentawe Yilwatda who is from Plateau State.

Yilwatda, who was the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, is now the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Doro was born on 23, 1969, in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, and brings over two decades of professional experience.

He has degrees in Pharmacy and Law, as well as an MBA focusing on IT-driven business strategy.

The Plateau-born is an Independent Prescriber and Advanced Clinical Practitioner with frontline experience in the National Health Service (NHS).

His practice covers urgent care, walk-in centres, general practice, and hospital settings in the United Kingdom.

Beyond his medical career, Doro has led youth mentorship and social impact initiatives in the diaspora and local communities.