Good Morning, Welcome to Daily News24 Roundup of Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines for Friday, Dec. 24th.
1. Electoral Bill: N/Assembly’s Credibility On The Line –NBA
The Nigerian Bar Association Thursday asked the National Assembly to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021.
NBA President Olumide Akpata, in a statement, said the credibility of the National Assembly was on the line to “either take the historic decision to override the president’s veto or immediately take the take the necessary legislative.”
“We cannot find any justification for the president to have waited until the final moment before communicating his refusal to assent to the Bill,” Akpata said.
2. FG Warns TV, Radio Stations Against Airing Fake News
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has told media practitioners not to be a mouthpiece for any interest group or groups in the country.
The Director-General of the NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, said this during a media parley on Thursday in Abuja.
He said many television and radio stations across the country, especially government owned, were owing the commission over N4bn in licencing and license renewal fees.
3. NIS warns of foreign terror attacks, FG heightens security
The military and other security agencies including the Nigeria Immigration Service have intensified security within Abuja following a warning from the Presidency over a planned attack by some terrorists during the Christmas holiday.
The information is contained in a letter dated December 23, 2021, and titled, ‘Terrorists Plan Attacks In Abuja’, the immigration authorities informed its officers that the information on the impending attack was from the Presidency.
The letter which was signed by the Land Border Patrol Commander, Edirin Okoto, on behalf of the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Idris Jere, stated that the terrorists were coming from Mali, one of whom possessed a diplomatic passport
4. Ex-NSCDC commandant forfeits 60 buildings, land to FG over corruption
A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of 60 buildings illegally acquired by a former Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Adenike Bintu, to the Federal Government.
Bintu was said to have defrauded over 1,000 persons, who subscribed to her housing estate located along the Airport Road, Abuja.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had approached Justice O. Egwuata, praying for an order for the final forfeiture of the 60 buildings and a 9.6 hectares land, both located at Sabon-Lugbe South-West Extension, Airport Road, Abuja, alleged to have been acquired by Bintu through corrupt means.
5. Buhari: Nigeria in final push against insurgents, other criminals
President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria is in final phase of the campaign against insurgents and other criminals.
He also urged troops of Operation Hadin Kai to remain steadfast as they go into the final phase of the campaign against insurgency and other forms of criminalities.
The president, according to a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, spoke when he addressed the troops at the Airforce Base in Maiduguri, Borno State yesterday.
6. Fed Govt moves to avert terror attacks in Abuja
Security agencies were yesterday placed on the alert, following the uncovering of a plot to attack Abuja by some terrorists, led by an Algerian, Drahmane Ould Ali (aka Mohammed Ould Sidat).
The Algerian coordinators were said to be acting in concert with one Zahid Aminon and unnamed four Nigerian accomplices. The terrorists, allegedly on their way, were said to have hatched plans to strike between December 17 and 31.
7. NAPTIP begins prosecution of Spain-based human trafficker, Mama Bobby
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has commenced the prosecution of a notorious trafficker of Nigerian young women from Nigeria to Spain, Patricia Igbinovia (aka Mama Bobby).
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, disclosed this on Thursday at a virtual meeting with stakeholders and partners of the agency to mark her first 100 days in office.
This is according to a statement by the agency’s Press Officer, Adekoye Vincent, titled ‘NAPTIP commences prosecution of Spain-based Nigerian trafficker.’
8. Tales of woes as fire razes 318 shops in Sokoto Kara Market
Goods and property worth hundreds of millions of naira have been consumed by an fire that razed the popular Kara Market in Sokoto on Tuesday and brought the fortunes of the traders and homeowners into ruins.
Some of the major items of trade in the popular market are grains, onions, agricultural inputs, kolanut, wheat, generators and spare parts among others.
According to an eyewitness, the inferno was ignited by an electrical spark at a shop opposite Kofar Kade Gate.
9. CAN kicks as FG limits religious gatherings to 50%
The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 on Thursday said indoor religious gatherings should be limited to 50 per cent with full compliance to public health measures.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the PSC, Boss Mustapha.
The statement, which was made available to journalists in Abuja explained that there had been reduced compliance to public health social measures which had led to increased COVID-19 cases in the country.
10. 20 Years After, Family, Friends Demand Justice For Bola Ige
Twenty years after the murder of the late first Executive Governor of Oyo State and former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige, the family and friends on Thursday demanded justice for their father and friend.
Daily Trust reports that Chief Bola Ige was killed by unknown gunmen at his Bodija residence, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on December 23, 2001.
This demand for justice formed the centre stage at the 20th anniversary memorial and communion service of the political gladiator held at Saint Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan.
