Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 17th May 2022
1. EFCC Arrests AGF Ahmed Idris Over Alleged N80bn Fraud
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reportedly quizzed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.
Naija News learned that the AGF was arrested on Monday over the diversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N80 billion.
In a statement on Monday signed by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC said Idris was arrested after failing to honour its several invitations.
The anti-graft agency accused the AGF of laundering the funds through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.
According to the commission, Idris raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.
2. Buhari Govt Orders Resumption Of Abuja-Kaduna Train Service
The Federal Government has ordered the resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna train service, two months after it was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists.
Recall that about eight persons were killed and 26 others injured when gunmen bombed the rail track and attacked the Kaduna-bound train on March 28.
Following the attack, the federal government suspended train services on the route in order to fix the damaged train track and set up security surveillance.
In a statement on Monday by its spokesperson Yakubu Mahmood, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said service will resume on the Abuja-Kaduna line on May 23.
Mahmood stated that the decision to resume services does not mean efforts to secure the safe release of those abducted will be put on hold, assuring the families of those abducted of the government’s commitment to free the hostages.
The NRC spokesman said additional security measures are being put in place to beef up security at the train stations and along the track.
3. PSC Confirms Promotion Of Disgraced Ex-EFCC Boss, Ibrahim Magu, Ayim, Others
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has confirmed the promotion of disgraced former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, from a Commissioner of Police (CP) to Assistant Inspector General (AIG).
Naija News reports that Magu was unceremoniously sacked as EFCC after allegations of corruption and abuse of office was leveled against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
In a statement on Monday, PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani revealed Magu had missed the last two promotions despite being the most senior CP of his cadre.
He said the PSC on Friday May 13th 2022 confirmed acting DIG John Ogbonnaya Amadi as a substantive Deputy Inspector General of Police.
Ani said the commission approved the appointment of Zama Bala Senchi as a Deputy Inspector General of Police and promoted eight Commissioners of Police to Assistant Inspectors General of Police.
4. Petroleum Minister, Sylva Withdraws From Presidential Race
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva has withdrawn from the 2023 presidential election in the All Progressives Congress.
According to reports, Sylva withdrew his presidential ambition after considering the enormous work at the ministry.
An official at the ministry who spoke on condition of anonymity said the minister withdrew from the race to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to achieve a robust oil sector.
5. Section 84(12): Supreme Court Picks Date To Hear Buhari, Malami’s Case Against National Assembly
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has scheduled for hearing the suit filed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami on the controversial section 84(12) of the 2022 amended Electoral Act.
Naija News learnt the suit marked SC/CV/504/2022 is set to be heard by the apex court on May 19, 2022.
Though the case is not listed in the Supreme Court’s list of cases for the week, a report monitored on The Nation has it that relevant parties have been served the hearing notices.
The National Assembly is listed as the sole defendant in the suit.
Naija News recalls President Buhari had wanted the National Assembly to remove the clause which bars political office holders from voting or being voted for during party primaries to be removed.
He argued that the constitution has made provisions for such contingencies and the section of the electoral act on the matter is in conflict with the constitutional provisions that exist already.
6. Police, Soldiers Gun Down 6 IPOB/ESN Members In Imo State
Some suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been killed by security operatives in Imo State.
The IPOB/ESN members were killed on Monday during an attempted attack on the palace of a traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Eze Dr E. C Okeke at Orlu Local Government Area.
The palace of Okeke who is the chairman of the Imo Council of Traditional Rulers was a planned target of attack on Monday but the attackers met stiff resistance from security operatives who were mobilized to the scene.
Naija News understands the gunmen at about 8 am on Monday morning started shooting sporadically as they approached the palace.
The spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, Mike Abattam who confirmed the incident however pointed out that a combined team of Police and Military operatives was quickly drafted in before the attackers could inflict any heavy damage.
7. Deborah Samuel: Professor Leads 34 Lawyers To Defend Suspected Killers Of Sokoto Student In Court
The team of lawyers who appeared in court on Monday to defend two suspects arrested over the killing of Deborah Samuel were led by a Professor, Mansur Ibrahim.
The suspects were arraigned in court following their arrest last week over their roles in the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel who until her death was a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State.
She was stoned to death and then burnt by her colleagues over alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad on a WhatsApp group, Naija News recalls.
The suspects – Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunci were brought before a Sokoto Chief Magistrate’s Court for their alleged participation in the crime.
They pleaded not guilty when the charges against them were read in court.
The trial judge (name withheld for security reasons), reserved the ruling on the bail application but ordered the accused to be remanded at the Sokoto Correctional Center.
8. Unknown Arsonists Burn LG Secretariat, Magistrate Court In Anambra
The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has commenced investigations after some unknown arsonists wrecked Idemili North Local Government secretariat in Ogidi and a Magistrate Court in the area with night fire.
Reports reaching Naija News at the moment confirmed that the criminal elements invaded the premises on Sunday night to perpetrate the act.
All documented files and valuable properties in the secretariat, including the secretariat building, were reportedly razed with fire.
The sad development was confirmed to newsmen on Monday morning by the State Police Command, attributing the attack to unidentified arsonists.
DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson of the State Police Command said: “Yes, the incident was confirmed, and our men were there to restore normalcy.
9. 2023: Kwankwaso Is APC, PDP Biggest Problem – Orji Uzor Kalu
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has described Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the biggest problem of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Naija News reports that since Kwankwaso joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) from the PDP, the party has gained popularity.
Speaking to Channels Television on Monday night, Orji Uzor Kalu stated that the too major political parties must be aware of the threat posed by the NNPP.
He stated that if any of the major parties zone its presidential ticket to the South, they should forget about producing Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.
10. Why President Buhari’s Successor Should Come From The North – Fani-Kayode
Former Minister of Aviation and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Femi Fani-Kayode has given reasons why he is supporting a Northern candidate.
Naija News reports that Fani-Kayode is one of the arrowheads of the presidential campaign team of Governor Yahaya Bello.
In a post on his Twitter page on Monday night, Fani-Kayode stated that the South-East, North-Central and North-East should be given the right of first refusal for the presidency.
He slammed the APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for reportedly throwing their tickets open.
Those are the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News