Top Nigerian newspaper headlines and breaking news in Nigeria today, Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Governor Ikpeazu Sacks His Aides From Office
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has sacked several of his political appointees in the state.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has recently asked several of his political appointees in the state, This came as a shock when when it was announced on Thusday March 30, by Secretary to Sate Govenment (SSG) to the Governor, Chris Ezem
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Those affected include special assistants, senior special assistants, special advisers, and technical advisers. Ezem added;
“The governor further directs the state accountant general to ensure immediate payment of March 2023 stipends to all the appointees.”
The SSG said the governor has thanked the sacked appointees for their contributions and services to the state and also wished them well in their future endeavors
Nigeria’s Public Debt Rises To N46.25trn
The Debt Management Office (DMO) on Thursday disclosed that Nigeria’s total public debt stock increased to N46.25 trillion or $103.11 billion as of December 2022.
According to the DMO, the new figure is made up of the domestic and external total debt stocks of the Federal Government and the sub-national governments (36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory).
The DMO stated that the comparative figure of public debt as of December 31, 2021, was N39.56 trillion or $95.77 billion.
This means that the country’s debt increased by N6.69trn or $7.34bn within one year.
The DMO statement partly read,
“As of December 31, 2022, the Total Public Debt Stock was N46.25 trillion or USD103.11 billion.
“In terms of composition, total Domestic Debt Stock was N27.55 trillion (USD 61.42 billion) while Total External Debt Stock was N18.70 trillion (USD 41.69 billion).
“Amongst the reasons for the increase in the total public debt stock were new borrowings by the FGN and sub-national governments, primarily to fund budget deficits and execute projects. The issuance of promissory notes by the FGN to settle some liabilities also contributed to the growth in the debt stock.
“On-going efforts by the Government to increase revenues from oil and non-oil sources through initiatives such as the Finance Acts and the Strategic Revenue Mobilization initiative are expected to support debt sustainability.”
“The total public debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio for December 31, 2022, was 23.20 per cent and indicates a slight increase from the figure for December 31, 2022, at 22.47 per cent.
“The ratio of 23.20 per cent is within the 40 per cent limit self-imposed by Nigeria, the 55 per cent limit recommended by the World Bank/International Monetary Fund, and, the 70 per cent limit recommended by the Economic Community of West African States.”
How Yul Edochie’s First Son Slumped, Died
News of Kambilichukwu, son of Nigerian actor Yul Edochie’s death flooded the internet space on Thursday.
Kambilichukwu was the talented actor’s eldest son with May, his first wife.
He was said to have developed a seizure while playing football with his colleagues in school.
Kambilichukwu was rushed to Mother and Child hospital in Lagos, where he was confirmed dead.
Kambilichukwu’s father had just celebrated his 16th birthday two months ago before his passing.
Yul had said:
“A very happy 16th birthday to my first son, Kambilichukwu Leo Yul-Edochie. May God lead and protect you always. With many more years. Daddy loves you.”
Yul and May got married in 2004, after dating for six years.
The union which produced four children now left Dani, Karl, and Victory following Kambilichukwu’s demise.
Police Arrest Singer Portable For Assault
Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been arrested by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command.
The ‘Kuku do Ritual’ crooner was arrested over alleged assault on police officers who attempted arresting him on Tuesday.
In viral videos on social media, Portable seen raining curses and manhandling police officers deployed to his bar in the state.
The singer’s actions were condemned by the police authorities as Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, saying the musician exhibited irrational behaviour towards police officers carrying out their legal duty.
The singer was issued a 72-hour ultimatum to report himself to the police or face arrest.
The singer failed to obey the ultimatum and was subsequently arrested on Friday following it’s expiration.
Portable’s arrest was confirmed by Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi.
According to Oyeyemi, the musician is at the State Headquarters of the police in Eleweran, Abeokuta and would be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
Petroleum Minister, Timipre Sylva Resigns
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva has resigned from his position.
The Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications, Bashir Ahmad, confirmed Sylva’s resignation on March 31 via social media.
Ahmad said the minister stepped down to join the forthcoming Bayelsa State governorship election on November 11, 2023.
The presidential aide said:
“Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and former Bayelsa state governor, H.E. Timipre Sylva, has resigned his appointment to contest in the next Bayelsa governorship election.”
Before he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Sylva was a member Of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Sylva held office as governor of Bayelsa between May 2007 and April 2008 but his election was later nullified.
He was replaced by Werinipre Seibarugo who was the Speaker of the House of Assembly until a new election led to Sylva’s re-emergence in May 2008.
However, in January 2012, the Supreme Court terminated his administration.
After joining APC, the former Bayelsa State governor was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, as the Nigerian Cabinet Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
Sylvia served almost four years in his appointment before he announced his official resignation on Friday.
APC’s PCC Petitions NBC Against Channels TV Over Datti’s Comments
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC) on Wednesday, petitioned the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The council was petitioning NBC against Channels Television following the latter’s interview with Labour Party (LP)’s Vice Presidential Candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.
The council argued Channels TV breached the Nigerian Broadcasting Code during its interview the Baba-Ahmed.
It hence begged NBC to sanction the television station for allowing its platform to be used by the opposition to speak falsehood about the February 25, 2023, presidential election.
This was contained in a two-page petition signed by the campaign council Director, Media, and Publicity, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on behalf of the Special Adviser, Media, Public Affairs, and Communications, and dated March 30, 2023.
According to the council, Channels TV violated Section 14.0.1 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code (6th Edition)— a code which allowed the commission to accept complaints from aggrieved persons, bodies, or members of the public, and investigate as well as apply sanctions where necessary.
The petition read:
“He (Datti) said the Labour Party won the elections. This is a fallacy and not correct. According to the Code, a broadcaster is liable when his guest is allowed to make a wild statement that is inaccurate and not based on fact. The only detailed figures empirically collated as the final result are the one released by the Independent National Electoral Commission which placed the Labour party as third.
“The guest on the programme in question, Datti Baba-Ahmed, said the President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari should not swear in the President-elect because he did not score 25% vote in the FCT, being one of the prerequisites for being declared the winner. This is a subversive statement since the matter is before the tribunal and is among the issues submitted in their petition to the courts for adjudication. Therefore, until and unless the court rules otherwise, the status quo is the INEC position as declared in the final results
“The guest, Datti Baba Ahmed’s comments about Labour Party winning the presidential vote undermines constituted authority given to INEC in the 1999 Constitution as the body vested with the powers to conduct and announce the results of national general election in Nigeria. Any other figures will have to be certified by the tribunal as the authentic one.
“Therefore, Mr Datti’s comments that the INEC certificate of return issued to the President-elect is a ‘dud cheque’ and is null and void is not only divisive, and subversive, but also inciting and inflammatory.
“The Code states in Section 3.8.1(b) that ‘A Broadcaster shall ensure that no programme contains anything which amounts to subversion of constituted authority or compromises the unity or corporate existence of Nigeria as a sovereign state.’
“The statement by Mr Datti Baba-Ahmed later on the same programme that if ‘President Buhari should hand over to the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu by May 29, that would be the end of democracy’ is another case of unguarded utterance.
“This is in breach of Section 5.3.3(b) which states that – ‘A Broadcaster shall avoid inflammatory and divisive matters in its provocative form in using political material’.
“Furthermore, Section 3.0.2.1 states that- ‘No Broadcaster shall encourage or incite to crime , lead to public disorder or hate, or repugnant to public feelings’ materials that cause disaffection.
“By denying the authenticity of the INEC Presidential election results Mr Datti is at liberty to seek for the voiding of the results, but until the court or tribunal upturns those results they remain the authentic results. Channels TV cannot encourage him to use its platform to create anarchy by disputing results on air without corroborating his facts.
“In asking the President not to swear in the President-elect he is subverting the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC’s constitutionally guaranteed authority.
“In using words like ‘handing over to the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the end of democracy’ he is not only promoting a threat but instigating a call to rebellion against the state. This is antithetical to the use of the media for social harmony and peaceful.
“It is our considered opinion that the guest Datti Baba-Ahmed was not only provocative but also inciting the public and the Labour Party followers to delegitimise the outcome of the elections, but also propagate resistance against the incoming duly elected administration of Bola Ahmed-Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
“We, therefore, urge the Commission to invoke the necessary sanctions on Channels TV for the breaches enumerated above.”
Kambilichukwu: Lagos Police Begin Investigation
The Lagos State Police Command has begun investigation into Kambilichukwu Edochie’s death.
16-year-old Kambilichukwu, son of popular Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie was announced dead on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Sources held Kambilichukwu died on Wednesday, March 29, at the Mother and Child Hospital in Lagos where he was rushed after developing a seizure while playing football with his mates.
A spokesperson for the police in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the development in a statement on Friday morning, March 31.
Hundeyin said the actor reported the death of his son to the command.
He added that the matter would be forwarded to the State Criminal Investigation Department on Friday, March 31 for detailed investigation.
Donald Trump Becomes First US Former President to Face Criminal Charges
A New York grand jury on Thursday indicted Donald Trump over hush money payments made to a porn star during his 2016 campaign, making him the first former US president to face criminal charges.
The historic indictment of the 76-year-old Republican – who denies all wrongdoing in connection with the payments made ahead of the election that sent him to the White House – is certain to upend the current presidential race in which Trump hopes to regain office.
And it will forever mark the legacy of the former leader, who survived two impeachments and kept prosecutors at bay over everything from the US Capitol riot to missing classified files — only to land in court over a sex scandal involving Stormy Daniels, a 44-year-old adult movie actress.
Trump’s lawyer Susan Necheles told AFP she expects he will be arraigned on Tuesday next week.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office confirmed that it had contacted Trump’s lawyers Thursday evening to “coordinate his surrender” in New York — with the felony charges against him to be revealed at that point.
Trump slammed the indictment as “political persecution and election interference,” raging against prosecutors and his Democratic opponents and vowing that it would backfire on his successor, President Joe Biden.
Surrendering for arraignment over what CNN has reported could be as many as 30 counts related to business fraud would normally involve being fingerprinted and photographed, potentially even handcuffed.
In the Republican camp, Trump’s allies and sons denounced what they say is a vendetta aimed at derailing his 2024 campaign — while his expected challenger for the party nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, slammed the indictment as “un-American.”
Kevin McCarthy, the top Republican in the House of Representatives, said the indictment had “irreparably damaged” the country. Trump’s former vice president and possible 2024 challenger Mike Pence called it an “outrage” that would only “further serve to divide” the United States.
But the top Democrat Adam Schiff — lead prosecutor of Trump’s first impeachment in 2019 — called it “a sobering and unprecedented development.”
“The indictment and arrest of a former president is unique throughout all of American history,” Schiff said in a statement. “But so too is the unlawful conduct for which Trump has been charged.”
Daniels welcomed the development with her characteristic aplomb.
“I have so many messages coming in that I can’t respond…also don’t want to spill my champagne,” she tweeted while also plugging her #TeamStormy merchandise.
– Possible protests –
On March 18, Trump had declared he expected to be arrested within days over the payment to Daniels — who received $130,000 weeks before the election that brought Trump to power, to stop her from going public about a tryst she claims they had a decade earlier.
In predicting his indictment, Trump also issued a call for demonstrations and dark warnings that it could lead to “potential death & destruction” that “could be catastrophic for our Country.”
His statement set New York on edge for possible protests but the prospect of a quick indictment appeared to recede as the grand jury panel continued to hear witnesses — until Thursday.
A media scrum quickly gathered outside the district attorney’s office, along with a handful of anti-Trump protesters — but the situation was calm overall.
Trump’s ex-lawyer Michael Cohen, who has testified before the grand jury, told Congress in 2019 that he made the payment to Daniels on Trump’s behalf and was later reimbursed.
Prosecutors argued the checks were not properly registered, and the jury was asked to consider if there had been a cover-up, intended to benefit Trump’s campaign by burying the scandal.
The New York investigation is the first to reach a decision on charges out of three major probes into the former president.
Trump also faces felony investigations in Georgia relating to the 2020 election and in Washington over the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by the ex-president’s supporters, who hoped to keep him in office after his election loss to Joe Biden.
– Republican frontrunner –
Trump, who is seen to be the frontrunner to be the Republican nominee in the 2024 election, has branded all of the investigations political persecution.
The impact of an indictment on his election chances is unpredictable, with critics and adversaries alike voicing concerns about the legal merits of the hush money case.
Detractors worry that if Trump were cleared, it could make it easier to dismiss as a “witch hunt” any future indictment in arguably more serious affairs — such as Trump’s efforts to overturn Georgia’s election results.
The Manhattan charges will also likely juice turnout among Trump’s base, boosting his chances in the party primary.
Trump staged his first presidential campaign rally in Texas on Saturday, addressing several thousand supporters — far fewer than the 15,000 he had expected — in the city of Waco, Texas.
“The innocence of people makes no difference whatsoever to these radical left maniacs,” he told the fired-up crowd.
Those Advocating for Interim Govt are Daydreaming – Lalong
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has stated that the alleged plot to install an interim government would not work under President Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall that on Wednesday, the Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed plot by some key persons to install an interim government in the country and stop the inauguration of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on May 29.
However, Lalong, who was the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC), after a brief meeting with President Buhari on thursday at the State House, Abuja, stated that those plotting an interim government are daydreaming.
Lalong said;
“Nigerians will always say, ‘God forbid.’ Not under the administration of President Buhari, who has been saying every time that ‘I believe in democracy. I believe that after my tenure, I want to go and rest.’
“He said it today that ‘I’m going back to Daura,’ and I told him that some of us will still disturb you in Daura. This man has worked very well for democracy.
“So those who are still talking about it (interim government), I will say they are just dreaming. They are just daydreaming. By the grace of God, Buhari is going to bring a successor and that successor is already Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
14 Suspected Armed Robbers, Drugs Dealers Arrested in Kano
In line with clearance operations to rid of all forms of crimes and criminality, the Kano State police command have arrested 14 suspected armed robbers and drug dealers and thieves at different locations within the metropolis.
The spokesperson of the Police command, SP Adullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, March 30.
According to him, the suspects were apprehended during the first week of Ramadan.
He added that dangerous weapons, illicit drugs, and stolen properties were recovered from the suspects.
“In line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, FDC, CFR on Community-based policing, round-the-clock visibility patrols, Operation Restore Peace and the Command’s efforts to rid Kano State of all forms of crimes and criminality, especially the menace of thuggery (Daba), Drug Abuse (Kwaya) and other social vices, clearance operations carried out by a team of Operation Restore Peace led by O/C Anti-Daba, CSP Bashir Musa Gwadabe, led to the arrest of Fourteen (14) notorious suspects and recovery of dangerous weapons, illicit drugs, stolen and robbed properties,” the statement read.
“The Commissioner of Police further warns that anyone found in possession of any weapon or illicit drugs during the Ramadan Fasting period and beyond will be arrested.
“He further called on all criminals to repent or leave the State completely. Otherwise, they will be arrested and face the full wrath of the law. He thanked the good people of Kano State for their prayers, continuous support, understanding, encouragement, and cooperation
“He urged residents to pray for the State, the Nation and report incidents to the nearest Police Station, and not take laws into their hands. Rigorous Patrol and Raids of criminals’ hideouts and black spots will continue throughout the State, as the Command will sustain the tempo in ensuring the safety of lives and properties.”
