10 things to note from Nigerian Newspapers this Friday morning

It’s a blessed morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers. Enjoy!

1. Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has been issued a seven-day ultimatum by irate Niger Delta youths to reopen the Niger Delta Development Commission office along Aba Road, in Port Harcourt.

The youths drawn from the nine states of the oil rich region demanded that Governor Wike should reopen the commission’s office within the period of the ultimatum or face stiff and sustainable protests.

1. The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has disclosed it would meet next week to take a decision on the latest letter written by the incumbent Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, challenging its powers to withhold his Certificate of Return.

Festus Okoye, INEC commissioner for information and voter education, stated that though both parties were in court over the issue, the commission’s chairman would meet with commissioners to deliberate on the issue and decide on the next line of action.

1. The House of Representatives, on Thursday invited President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation on measures taken to tackle rising cases of killings, banditry, armed robbery and kidnappings.

This followed a motion on the urgent “Need for Federal Government’s Intervention on the Ongoing Wanton Killing of Innocent Persons, Destruction of Property, Armed Robbery and Kidnappings by Heavily Armed Bandits Operating Within Safana/Batsari/Dansamu Federal Constituency”.

1. The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, which will determine Senator Ademola Adeleke’s eligibility in the September 2018 governorship election in Osun State, has been adjourned till May 8, 2019.

At the resumed sitting on Thursday, Justice Abubakar Yayaha led-panel was forced to move hearing again over issue bordering on improper service.

1. The Supreme Court will on May 16 hear appeals filed by candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last general elections in Zamfara State.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court panel led by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, conducted preliminary proceedings on the appeals, during which parties were allowed to regularise their various appeals and assured parties that the court will hear and decide the appeals before its annual vacation.

1. Mr. Olawale Alausa, the Minority Leader, Ogun House of Assembly, on Thursday, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmaker who represents Ijebu-Ode constituency announced his defection in a letter dated April 23, and read by the Speaker, Mr Suraj Adekunbi during plenary in Abeokuta.

1. The South-East Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested 37 suspected internet fraudsters in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The Commission’s action followed intelligence report which pointed that the suspects were living lavish lifestyles without any known means of livelihood, alleging further that they specialize in defrauding unsuspecting victims, through the internet.

1. The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the recovery of Public Property (SPIP), says it has recovered over 40 million naira of the Federal Government from one of the commercial banks in the country.

A statement signed by the panel’s Head, Media and Communication, Lucie-Ann Laha, on Tuesday in Abuja, said it refrained from mentioning the name of the bank in question, in order to prevent panic by its customers.

1. The family of a former member of House of Representatives, who represented Akinyele/ Lagelu constituency until his death, Hon. Temitope Olatoye, has raised the alarm over alleged plans to release some suspected killers of the late lawmaker.

An elder to the late lawmaker, Mr. Olajide Olatoye, while speaking on Thursday, alleged that some powerful people in the state including some members of the state House of Assembly have concluded plans to facilitate the release of the suspects.

1. Fire has destroyed the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gumel Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

NSCDC spokesperson in the state, SC Adamu Shehu, who confirmed the incident, explained that the cause of the fire, which started around 9:30 on Thursday morning might not be unconnected with electricity that was restored around that time by the electricity distribution company in the area.