Newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 12th August 2022
1. We’ve Recovered N3.2bn Loot Within A Year – FG
The Muhammadu Buhari-led Government says it has recovered over N3.2bn (£6,324,627.66) of looted funds from various countries within a year.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made this known on Thursday during the monthly Ministerial Briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Malami stated that the stolen monies were recovered from March 2021 to May 2022 and have been disbursed into key infrastructure projects nationwide.
The minister stated that the recovered loot included the Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Road and the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The minister also said the federal government raised N1.82bn from the sale of bid forms and the actual sale of forfeited properties in the first 18 months of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
2. Buhari Meets Families Of Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack Victims
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with the families of the victims of the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the meeting is took place in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Presidency made this known in a tweet via its verified Twitter handle on Thursday evening.
The tweet wrote, “President #MBuhari is meeting with representatives of victims of the Abuja-Kaduna Train abduction.”
3. Presidential Guards Killed By Terrorists In Abuja Buried
The troops of the Guards Brigade responsible for the protection of President Muhammadu Buhari, who were killed by terrorists in the Bwari area of Abuja, have been buried.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that terrorists attacked the soldiers of the 7 Guards Battalion while on routine patrol along Kubwa–Bwari road on the 25th of July, 2022.
The terrorists were said to be headed to the Nigerian Law School in Bwari when they ran into the troops.
The incident led to the exchange of gunfire which led to the death of Captain Attah Samuel and four other soldiers.
Captain Samuel and the other soldiers were on Thursday buried at the Guards Brigade Cemetery, Maitama, Abuja.
4. Over 1,000 Boko Haram Suspects Convicted In 18 Months – Malami
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has disclosed that over 1,000 Boko Haram suspects have been convicted for terrorism-related court cases in the last 18 months.
Malami made the revelation on Thursday during the monthly Ministerial Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The minister disclosed that 312 convictions were secured in various other criminal cases within the last 18 months and 45 conviction were also secured by the Complex Casework Group, Maritime unit.
He noted that his ministry, through the CCG unit, is coordinating the next phase of terrorism-related trials in collaboration with the federal high court, the Legal Aid Council, and the Defense Headquarters.
Malami also explained that his ministry has successfully filed an extradition proceeding against suspended DCP Abba Kyari in line with a Mutual Legal Assistance request from the United States of America.
5. 2023: CAN Denies Endorsing Lalong As Tinubu’s Campaign DG
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State Chapter has warned politicians against using Christianity and the platform to promote their political interests.
In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, the CAN chairman in the state, Reverend Father Polycarp Lubo said that they never endorsed the appointment of Governor Simon Lalong as the Director General of Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation.
Lubo also stated that the CAN was not part of those that received Lalong at the Yakubu Gowon Airport on arrival to the state after his appointment as the Director General of the campaign organisation.
6. Wike Carries Weight In Nigeria, Atiku Should Beg Him — Onwordi
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has been charged to plead with the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, over the crisis in the party.
A chieftain of the party in Delta State, James Onwordi Endurance made this call in a statement released on Thursday.
He noted that despite the vice presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa emerging from his state, the party still needs Governor Wike to win in the 2023 elections.
According to Onwordi, the main opposition party is divided because Wike is not ready to declare support for Atiku.
He further stated that the former Vice President should have met Wike to resolve the issues in the party, he, however, said it’s not too late.
7. Military Reveals Identity Of Two More Owo Worshippers Killers
Two more members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been arrested by the Military High Command over the killing of over 40 worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The development was disclosed in a statement released through the Director of Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, on Thursday.
Akpor in the statement identified the suspects as Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris.
According to Akpor, the suspects were arrested at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State on Tuesday, 9 August 2022.
He further stated that the arrest was made possible through the joint efforts of the military and DSS.
8. Buhari Reverses Approval Of Seplat Energy, ExxonMobil Deal
President Muhammadu Buhari has reversed the approval of the acquisition of the ExxonMobil Corporation assets by Seplat Energy Plc.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, made this known in an interview with Premium Times on Wednesday.
Shehu said the president has decided to reverse the acquisition in line with the position of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in the deal.
The presidential spokesman said earlier confusion was because various agencies involved in the decision had not coordinated well among themselves.
9. Tinubu/Shettima: I Did Not Insult The Pope – Lalong Speaks
The Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has explained his reference to the Pope while defending his position as the Director General of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign organisation.
Truetells Nigeria earlier reported that the governor, while replying to a group calling for his resignation as the DG, had said that even the Pope was not against his appointment.
However, his statement was followed by a lot of backlash from Nigerians who claimed that it was disrespectful to the Pope and Christians.
Reacting to the backlash via a statement issued in Jos on Thursday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Makut Macham, the governor insisted that his reference to the Lope is a mark of reverence, not ridicule as perceived by some Nigerians.
10. Ex-Convict Joshua Dariye Set To Join Peter Obi’s Labour Party, Run For Senate
All is now set for the recently released former Plateau State Governor, Senator Joshua Dariye to declare interest to contest the Plateau Central senatorial seat on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).
Truetells Nigeria reports that Dariye and former Taraba governor, Jolly Nyame were, on Monday released from prison three months after their pardon by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Council of State.
Dariye spent about four years in prison out of his 10 years’ sentence for N1.126 billion fraud.
According to Daily Trust, the Plateau State chapter of LP has concluded arrangements to welcome Dariye from Abuja to pick the party’s senatorial form.
According to the party official, the former Plateau State Governor has the capacity to spring surprises at next year’s election because of the love many have for him in the North-Central State.
He stated Dariye has also given a boost to the party’s governorship candidate, Patrick Dakum, who defected to the LP, after failing to secure the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
