The Informant247 Nigeria News has compiled a list of the top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, June 17, 2023.
- 99% of oil theft carried out by army, navy — Dokubo tells Tinubu
Alhaji Asari Dokubu, the former Niger Delta agitator and leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), accused the army and navy of being responsible for over 99 per cent of oil theft in the country. He made this claim after meeting privately with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Dokubu denied the allegations that people from the oil-rich region were involved in oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Instead, he alleged that powerful cabals, often operating from Abuja, were behind the oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region. These individuals had an entitlement mentality and were responsible for the criminal acts.
According to Dokubu, ordinary Niger Delta citizens should not be blamed for these criminal activities because they lack the resources to carry out such thefts. He pointed out that there are notorious Army and Naval oil kingpins who have been engaging in unprecedented crude oil theft over the past eight years.
Dokubu emphasized that the oil thieves’ actions have severely impacted the livelihoods of the people in the Niger Delta, describing it as a crime against humanity.
- Emefiele clocks seven nights in custody, Bawa answers bribery, asset sale questions
The suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, is making efforts to regain his freedom from the Department of State Services (DSS) while awaiting a final decision about his situation.
On Friday, a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory granted a court order allowing Emefiele access to his lawyers and family members. The court order instructed the Director-General of the DSS, Yusuf Bichi, to comply with the decision.
Emefiele was arrested by the DSS on Saturday, following his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
Currently, he is being interrogated at the DSS headquarters in Abuja for alleged involvement in terrorism financing, economic sabotage, mismanagement of foreign exchange, and the naira redesign policy, among other accusations.
Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court issued the order on Friday, affirming that Emefiele has the constitutional right to consult with his lawyers and meet with his family members.
According to the enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, it states, “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately and regularly at reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”
Emefiele’s counsel, J. B. Daudu, SAN, filed the application, informing the court that the DSS had not responded to previous letters requesting access to the suspended head of the central bank.
- Tinubu Lists Eight Priority Areas on Devt, Seeks Govs’ Support
President Bola Tinubu has listed eight priority areas for urgent attention in Nigeria. He wants to transform the country’s economy by removing fuel subsidy and unifying exchange rates.
Tinubu spoke about this during the inauguration of the National Economic Council (NEC) in Abuja. The NEC includes 36 governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other stakeholders. Tinubu urged the governors to support the mission.
Under Vice President Kashim Shettima’s leadership, the NEC proposed measures to help workers and vulnerable groups cope with the removal of fuel subsidies.
Senator Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State, revealed that the council considered paying N702 billion as a cost of living allowance to civil servants based on recommendations from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Mohammed also announced the formation of a committee by the NEC to work out modalities for organizing and distributing the proposed measures within two weeks.
The council also discussed the possibility of obtaining funds from the World Bank and London partners to implement the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) program, aiming to reduce fuel prices.
In addition, President Tinubu appointed Nuhu Ribadu, Dele Alake, Wale Edun, and five others as Special Advisers, more than two weeks after assuming office.
On Thursday, the President met with former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, deposed Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi, and former Governor of Osun State Chief Bisi Akande at the State House in Abuja.
During the NEC inauguration, the President stressed the importance of collective efforts to stimulate a strong economy that addresses the needs of the poor and vulnerable.
He assured the governors that his government would tackle issues related to security, the economy, job creation, agriculture, infrastructure, monetary policy, and fuel subsidy.
- I Was Never Invited By EFCC – Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied the claim made by Afrobeat singer Femi Kuti that he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraud after serving as deputy governor of Bayelsa State.
The singer recently stated that the former president had been a guest of the anti-graft agency, but a statement from Jonathan’s office has declared it false.
In a statement released on Friday, Wealth Dickson Ominabo, the media officer in the former president’s office, refuted the claim and suggested that Kuti may have been misled by false information spread by dishonest politicians.
Ominabo emphasized that during the period in question, the EFCC had cleared the former president of any wrongdoing.
- State police tops Nigerians’ wish list for 10th NASS
The 10th National Assembly has begun its legislative duties with high expectations from Nigerians. Citizens are eager for the prompt enactment of laws aimed at addressing insecurity, promoting responsible use of revenue, improving living standards, and strengthening the federating units.
Expressing their thoughts on the country’s most urgent challenges and their expectations from the current lawmakers, Nigerians specifically called for attention to be given to the issue of state police, economic revitalization, and national unity.
They emphasized that addressing these issues could help combat the escalating insecurity, prevent social disorder, and foster national cohesion.
In addition, there were calls for legislative reforms to enhance governance at the grassroots level by revamping the local council system. This reform would ensure that Nigerians benefit from improved governance in their local communities.
Speaking candidly, Seye Oyeleye, the Director General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, emphasized the importance of the new National Assembly’s focus on creating effective legislation to guide Nigeria’s monetary policy.