10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers Thursday morning, December 12, 2019

These 10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers will make your Thursday morning.

1. Presidency not bothered by opinion of few Nigerians – Adesina

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is not bothered by the opinions of a few Nigerians. The presidential spokesman, who stated this on Wednesday when he appeared on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television, also contended that Nigeria cannot be bothered about reports from the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union concerning the nation’s human rights abuses. Read more

2. DSS COURT INVASION: I can’t reach conclusion on something I wasn’t a ‘live witness’ to —AGF Malami

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Wednesday revealed that the Nigerian government has ordered a probe into last Friday’s alleged invasion of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS). Ripples Nigeria had reported how the DSS, in their bid to rearrest the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, had invaded the court. Malami while addressing newsmen at the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, after paying a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, however did not disclose the reason for Sowore’s rearrest. Read more

3. Auditor General’s report uncovers N4.9bn illegal allowances payment at NHIS

A report by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation has uncovered the payment of unapproved allowances to the tune of N4.93 billion at the National Health Insurance Scheme. The payments, according to the 2017 audit report of the agency signed by the Auditor General, Anthony Ayine, were made to members of staff between January 2016 and December 2017. The report listed the irregular allowances as upfront allowance, upfront differential allowance, 13th month salary allowance, and pre-retirement overseas training allowance. Others included terminal benefit or exit package, and sitting allowance. Read more

4. AISHA BUHARI: Presidency has been turned to ‘Fuji House of Commotion’ —PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to put his house in order, saying the recent outburst by the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, was another indication that all is not well at the State House. The development, according to the party, has exposed the President’s failure to lead and enforce an organized governance structure. PDP said in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, that “governance in the country has been ceded to the chaotic and selfish whims of a cabal.” Read more

5. IPOB lawyer sues police over house invasion, demands N2bn

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Wednesday filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Awka, challenging the invasion of his residence by the police. At least four persons were allegedly killed by the police during the invasion. Ejiofor is also the lawyer to Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader who is standing trial for treasonable felony. The lawyer’s house in Oraifite, Anambra State, was raided and razed by the police on December 2. Read more

Read also: 10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers Wednesday morning, December 11, 2019

6. Court sacks Ooni’s second in command, orders replacement

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, has removed the traditional prime minister of Ife, the Obalufe of Ife, Chief Idowu Adediwura from office. The court also ordered the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to fill the stool within 21 days from the Aga Ruling House. The Obalufe is next to Ooni in rank. The presiding judge, Justice Foluke Awolalu in her judgment on the suit instituted by Abayomi Elugbuji on behalf of himself and the Aga Ruling House, held that the installation of Adediwura was not in accordance with the provisions of Ife Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957. Read more

7. MINIMUM WAGE: You are bound to respect new wage structure, NLC tells governors

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has emphasized the need for governors to ensure speedy conclusion of negotiations on implementation of the new wage act. The body reiterated that the National Minimum Wage law is binding on all, and that governors cannot pay below N30,000. NLC President, Dr. Ayuba Wabba, speaking at a one-day review meeting on the New National Minimum Wage with state council chairmen, stressed the need for governors to ensure speedy conclusion of negotiations on implementation of the new wage Act. Read more

8. FCC re-arraigns ex-Lagos speaker, aide on money laundering charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Wednesday re-arraigned a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji over alleged conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N338.8 million. According to a statement issued by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, the ex-speaker was arraigned alongside his former aide, Oyebode Alade, at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos and presided over by Justice Mohammad Liman. Read more

9. Maina’s younger sister testifies against him

Fatima Abdullahi, the younger sister of the former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, told the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday that the defendant used her picture to operate an account without her knowledge. Fatima, who was brought as a prosecution witness by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), said she never knew that Maina was operating an account with her details until she was arrested after she went to bank to complain about her blocked Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card. Read more

10. New Ekiti council chairmen get certificates of return

The Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) Wednesday presented the certificates of return to the 16 newly elected council chairmen in the state. The All Progressives Congress (APC) cleared all the 16 chairmanship and 177 councilorship seats during the election. Presenting the certificates, the Chairman of EKSIEC, Justice Jide Aladejana, said the Commission was neutral and unbiased in the conduct of the election. Aladejana charged the chairmen to fulfill all the promises made during the electioneering campaigns, saying that is the only way to motivate the electorate to believe in the electoral system. Read more

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