Nigerian Newspapers: 10 Things You Need To Note This Monday Morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers

1. A faction of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Kaduna has suspended the governor of the state, Nasir el-Rufai, for six months.

The faction said the governor refused to honour the invitation to defend himself over the allegations levelled against him, hence the ‘strike’.

2. The Police have arrested three principal suspects that perpetuated the February 14 killings in Zamfara State.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said the suspects were: 45-year-old Halilu Garba, also known as Masashi; 45-year-old Zubairu Malafa, aka Wakili; and 40-year-old Nafi’u Bahamas, alias Zakiru.

3. Chaos ensued in Rumuokoro roundabout in Obio-Akpor Local government area of Rivers State following the killing of a taxi driver by a trigger-happy policeman.

The Policeman attached to a detachment of officers escorting a Petrol Tanker reportedly shot dead the unnamed driver for obstructing their movement.

4. Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has formally reacted to the controversy over the alleged plot to impeach his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere.

According to him, such an impeachment would be of no political benefit to him or anybody else, stressing that the report in a section of the media should be ignored.

5. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, has suspended indefinitely a former member of Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and five other stalwarts from the Party.

According to the party, the suspended chieftains, whose actions were considered inimical to the peace and progress of the party in the area, are as follows: Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Barr. Kress Njiokwuemeni, Hon. Chuks Oseme, Mr. Michael Osuoza, Chief Emma Eboh, and Mr. Kaikene Okolie.

6. Former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav (retd.), has said the country is not mature enough for the creation of State police.

Tsav noted that the creation of state police would split Nigeria as politicians might use it against their political opponents, adding that it might also lead to job insecurity as some state governors would tamper with the institution.

7. Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop his administration from prosecuting former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke and ex-AGF, Bello Adoke over their roles in the controversial Malabu oil deal.

In a letter to Buhari, the AGF said, following due examination of the case files, he was able to “determine that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has no significant evidence to prove its allegations of corruption against prominent players like Bello Adoke, Diezani Alison-Madueke and others.”

8. Former President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said so far the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has “spent so much time and energy demonising its predecessor that it seems to have forgotten its promise of a better life for Nigerians.”

Onaiyekan said the present government came into power three years ago with a promise to change Nigeria for the better in all aspects but it had only succeeded in demonising its predecessor that it seemed to have forgotten its promise of a better life for Nigerians.

9. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said that the 2018 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) would now hold on Feb 26.

The board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin said a total of 245,753 of the 1,652,795 candidates that registered for this year’s UTME are expected to write the test.

10. The National Emergency Management Agency says it has resolved to allow the House of Representatives investigate the alleged sum of N17bn statutorily allocated to the agency in the last one year.

The agency added that the management would respond to any invitation by the House of Representatives and oblige it any information requested as regards the funds.