News
Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Monday morning
Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:
1. Oil giant, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Sunday admitted that its financial strain may affect the sustainability of petrol supply. Its admittance came on the heels of reports that it is indebted to suppliers to the tune of about $6 billion.
2. Nigeria and China will open high-level economic discussions today in Beijing. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is leading the Nigerian delegation, arrived on Sunday morning to the warm embrace of his hosts.
3. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa and Service chiefs got a marching order on Sunday from the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle to relocate to Sokoto State over the spate of terrorist attacks in the state and the Northwest. They are to supervise operations from the state and eliminate the threats of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
4. A leading traditional ruler in Rivers State, Eze Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, has faulted Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s action when he removed him as chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council. Eze Awuse decried the aspersions cast on him by the governor, who described him as “unsteady” at a time he was battling for his life, lying in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the hospital.
5. The trial of #EndBadGovernance protesters will begin in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Borno today, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Intelligence, Dasuki Galadanchi, has disclosed. The DIG disclosed this at the just-ended Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
6. The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed that two people are missing after a passenger boat capsized in the Zindiwa River, located in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Three passengers were rescued following the incident, which occurred last Saturday morning.
7. There are indications that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to roll out the sale of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol. This is coming a few days after the 650,000-capacity refinery engaged in a test-run of the product.
8. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has disclosed that 21 candidates with fake IJMB results were recommended for 2023 admissions by various institutions. JAMB, in a policy document obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, noted that 12 out of the 21 candidates were recommended by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
9. Two brothers in their early 20s abducted and raped a 14-year-old girl in Erima community in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State, on Saturday. It was gathered that the girl was walking along a lonely path in the community to her uncle’s house when one of the hoodlums identified as ‘Honest’, in connivance with his other sibling, Mr Okwukwe, swooped on her.
10. The dynamic duo, Radicals, comprising Fairme David and Michkey, has been evicted from the Big Brother Naija ‘No Loose Guard’ season. The eviction followed a tense nomination process, where four pairs were put up for possible eviction by their fellow housemates.
Business
Fuel price hike: Gov Makinde announces N10,000 transport support for workers
The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance as a palliative for the state workforce to cushion the effects of the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Kayode Martins, in a statement released on Monday, March 23, disclosed that the governor has granted the request of the union on the issue of transportation allowance.
The statement read
“Following the intervention and formal request made by the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) earlier this morning, the state government has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance for all workers in the state.
The newly approved allowance is set to take effect from April 2026, providing much-needed relief to workers grappling with rising transportation costs amid current economic challenges.
This development comes as a direct response to sustained advocacy by the state NLC, aimed at cushioning the impact of increased living expenses on the workforce.
Further details on implementation are expected to be communicated by the relevant government authorities in due course.”
News
Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, March 23, convicted and sentenced Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine.
DailyTrust reports that in the judgment delivered, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been able to prove the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the judge, the defendant is hereby convicted as charged.
Justice Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku in all the nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment in each of the counts, making 72 years.
The judge, however, ordered that the counts shall run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho, who described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Account in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling,” commended the EFCC for being detailed in its prosecution.
The judge observed that the evidence of the 9th prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over N200 million during investigation was not controverted by the defence.
Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He became acting Accountant General of the Federation in May 2022.
News
11 more arrested over Ozoro “r@ping festival”
The police in Delta state have arrested eleven more suspects over the sexu@l ass@ults recorded during what was described as a “r@ping festival” in Oramudu Quarters in Ozoro last Thursday, March 19.
In a statement released on Saturday, March 21, the spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, said the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the incident.
Edafe said operatives of CP-SAT conducted a thorough analysis of available video evidence and intelligence, leading to the arrest of eleven additional suspects identified as Samson Atukpodo, Steven ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others. Edafe mentioned that these latest arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the incident to fifteen (15)
“The Command reiterates that preliminary findings indicate that the unfortunate incident was perpetrated by criminal elements who exploited the situation to engage in acts of sexu@l v!olence, which are in no way representative of any legitimate cultural practice.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, condemns these acts in totality and reassures the public that the Command remains resolute in its determination to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, are once again encouraged to come forward with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations. The Command assures that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.”the statement in part reads
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