Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines Today, Thursday, 17th June, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 17th June 2021

1. Why Buhari Is Visiting Borno State – Presidency

Presidential media aide, Bashir Ahmad on Wednesday confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari will visit Borno State on Thursday.

Taking to his Facebook page, Ahmad confirmed that President Buhari will visit Borno State on Thursday to appraise the security situation in the Northeast.

The President will also commission some developmental projects executed by the Borno State government.

He wrote: “President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow, pay a one-day working visit to Borno State, for appraisal of security situation in the Northeast.”

“During the visit, Mr. President will also commission some developmental projects executed by the Borno State Government.”

2. Akeredolu vs Jegede: Appeal Court Takes Final Decision On Ondo Governorship Polls

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital has upheld the election victory of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in the last governorship polls in the state.

The appellate court in its ruling on Wednesday dismissed the appeal filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede for lack of merit.

It will be recalled that Governor Akeredolu contested and won on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Not satisfied with the result, Jegede had approached the election tribunal which earlier struck out his case, making him approach the appellate court.

But the appeal court, having examined the seven grounds of appeal tabled by the appellant, dismissed the appeal in its final ruling on Wednesday, saying it lacked merit.

3. Grazing Routes: How Malami Embarrassed President Buhari – Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has berated President Muhammadu Buhari for trying to re-establish grazing routes for herdsmen.

Naija News recalls that 17 southern governors had after a meeting in Delta State imposed a ban on open grazing in the region.

But President Muhammadu Buhari had directed states to revive cattle grazing routes across the country.

The president stated this during an interview with Arise Television.

He disclosed that he has asked Nigeria’s Attorney General, Abubakar Malami to begin the process of recovering land from persons who have converted cattle grazing routes for their personal use.

Buhari said the grazing routes were designated in the 1st Republic when “Nigerians use to obey laws” but those routes had been converted.

“What I did was ask him to go and dig the gazette of the 1st Republic when people were obeying laws,” he said.

Reacting while also appearing on Arise TV on Wednesday, Femi Falana said whoever gave Buhari such advice must be questioned.

He said the Land Use Act of 1979 outlawed the grazing reserve law, which was established by the then Premier of the northern region, Ahmadu Bello.

4. Police Arrest Criminals Involved In Rail Track Vandalism, Recover Weapons

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a criminal syndicate responsible for recent economic sabotage and vandalism of rail tracks in the North-West and North-Central parts of the country.

The arrest of the suspects follows deliberate efforts by the Force to contain and clamp down on perpetrators of recent incidents of rail tracks vandalism, carting away of critical locomotive equipment and other related economic crimes in some parts of the country.

The arrested vandals are among a total of thirty-six (36) notorious criminal suspects arrested by the Police recently for offences of banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, possession of illegal firearms, cultism, murder, economic sabotage, cybercrime, car snatching, the Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba told Naija News in a statement on Wednesday.

The arrests were achieved as a result of sustained nationwide tactical, anti-crime operations by the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) in the ongoing efforts aimed at stemming criminal activities particularly violent crimes in the country.

5. FCT Land Swap Plan Approved For Resumption

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, June 16 approved the resumption of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) land swap plan.

Naija News understands that the approval followed a memo presented to the council during the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents shortly after a virtual meeting of the council.

Naija News understands that the initiative, which was put at about N1 trillion under the previous dispensation, was designed to remedy the infrastructure deficit in the federal capital by swapping lands with private investors who would in turn provide the necessary infrastructure.

Bello further explained that amendments were made to the original form of the initiative by establishing a legal framework to protect all parties.

6. Navy To Establish Desert Warfare Institute, Barracks In Kano

The Nigerian Navy has revealed plans to establish Desert Warfare Institute in Kano State.

The branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces also revealed they would use the land provided to them by the state government to establish a Nigerian Navy Logistics School.

Naija News understands that the development was contained in a statement issued by Rear Admiral COR Ezekobe, Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Navy when he led a delegation to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at his office in Kano.

Briefing Ganduje about the development, Ezekobe quoted the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, saying that the Navy would also like to develop a Barack so that when the need arises they can defend themselves and the state also.

7. INEC Confirms Dates For Ekiti, Osun Governorship Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced dates for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu who made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja revealed that the Ekiti governorship election will hold on Saturday, 18th June 2022 while that of Osun State will hold on July 16, 2022.

Prof. Yakubu added that the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the two elections have been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

8. APC Suspends Anti-Ganduje Rep, Ibrahim Sharada

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Municipal Local Government Area of Kano State has suspended a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada.

Sharada, who represents Kano Municipal in the lower legislative chamber of the National Assembly, is a well-known critic of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Naija News reports that the lawmaker was on Wednesday suspended by the ruling party for a year.

The APC stated that Sharada was found guilty by a seven-man disciplinary committee set up to investigate allegations against him.

9. INEC Removes Polling Units From Churches, Mosques

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday announced its decision to remove 749 polling units from inappropriate facilities.

The electoral body removed nine polling units from shrines and several others from religious houses, royal palaces, and private properties.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

The INEC Chairman, however, did not state the reason for the removal of the polling units.

Nigeria presently has 176, 846 full-fledged polling units from the initial 119, 973 polling units.

10. More Woes For Baba Ijesha As Lagos Court Denies Bail Application

The Lagos State Magistrate court has denied embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, bail in the ongoing trial over alleged sexual assault.

Naija News reports that Baba Ijesha was arrested by the security operatives after he was alleged to have sexually molested a minor at 7 and 14.

He was later granted bail on May 17 after spending about 25 days in police detention by magistrates in charge of prison decongestion. But he has remained in police custody despite the bail.

During the trial on Wednesday, June 16, Kayode Olabiran, his counsel, prayed the court to acquit his client, citing his deteriorating health. He said the uncertain nature of the case has made it difficult to secure his release despite his bail as intending sureties were scared of the likely consequences.

But in his ruling, P. E Nwaka, the judge, held that the court can not grant the actor bail because the matter is beyond its jurisdiction. The judge also revealed that the case has already been filed before the high court.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.