1. Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has claimed that 22 former governors and 11 serving senators are currently under investigation for corruption.
Malami, who stated this on Thursday, while addressing journalists in Abuja, pointed out that three ex-Governors – Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Jolly Nyame (Taraba) and Orji Kalu (Abia) – have been convicted under President Muhammadu Buhari.
2. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, on Thursday, berated the National Assembly over the re-introduction of the anti-hate speech bill by the Senate.
The monarch, while speaking at a book presentation recently, insisted that anyone who doesn’t want to be criticised has no business in government.
3. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested Mohammed Bello Adoke, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF.
Adoke was arrested by operatives of EFCC upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
4. Ten persons have been arrested by men of the Ondo State Police Command for their alleged involvement in the razing of the church where Gold Kolawole, a one-year-old boy went missing.
The Commissioner for Police, Undie Adie, confirmed the arrest of the suspects on Thursday as he stressed that effort is on towards nabbing others found culpable in the arson.
5. The Association of Resident Doctors, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) Chapter, on Thursday protested the murder of the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the institution, Prof. Jerome Elusiyan.
The President of the association, Dr Omoniyi Ayo Oluwa, said in his address during the protest at OAUTHC, that the death of the don was saddening.
6. Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), says the board will use drones and CCTV cameras to monitor the 2020 University and Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).
Speaking during a two-day meeting with Computer Based Test (CBT) Centre Operators, State Coordinators of the Board, Financial Institutions and Internet Service Providers on Thursday in Zaria, Kaduna State, Oloyede told centre operators not to worry about their investments while transacting business with the board as long as they were doing their work in accordance with the agreed registration and examination guidelines.
7. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says deductions are being made from states for the Budget Support Facilities given by the Federal Government.
Zainab, who disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, said the repayments were being made to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
8. The Senate has issued an ultimatum to the Department of State Services (DSS), the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN and Femi Falana (SAN), counsel to Omoyele Sowore, to submit their testimonies.
Others are the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Barrister Tony Ojukwu, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the presiding Judge at the time of the court invasion, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.
9. Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has received a letter from a coalition of 35 civil society groups urging him to, in the interest of protecting the sanctity of the rule of law, start the process of dethroning the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The letter entitled “Kano State Emirate Council Law, 2019: Demand Letter” states clearly that, “The coalition of 35 Civil Society Groups under the above mentioned group (Umbrella Of Kano Concerned Civil Society Groups) are curiously studying the unfolding events in the running of Kano State affairs especially in recent time, as it relates to the lingering face-off between the Government of Kano State on one hand and the Emir of Kano on the other hand.”
10. The State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State has suspended the State Secretary of the Party, Hon Emma Tuang, for insubordination.
This development was made public by the party’s governorship candidate in the State, Gen. Jeremiah Useni (Rtd) on Thursday while briefing journalists after the SEC meeting held at the party Secretariat in Jos.
