Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday 14th October 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 14th October 2022

1. IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Discharged And Acquitted

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has been discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja.

The Court of Appeal on Thursday upheld the appeal of the IPOB leader.

The development was confirmed by the counsel to Kanu and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor in a post on his Facebook page.

Ejiofor wrote, “Appeal allowed, Oyendu Mazi Nnamdi KANU, discharged and acquitted. We have won!.”

Kanu had in his appeal dated April 29 and marked CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022, applied to be discharged and acquitted.

2. PDP Crisis: What Are You Begging Me For? Wike Discloses Only Thing He Wants

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has revealed that his grievances against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are not about the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The Governor also added that he has no issues with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who emerged as the party’s Vice Presidential candidate as well.

Wike however revealed that his anger is against some vested interests within the party whom he described as “hyenas and rent seekers,” that do not want justice, fairness and equity in the party.

Making further explanation, the Rivers Governor said the only thing he wants is the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as the PDP National Chairman and his replacement by a southerner.

Naija News reports Wike made his stand known in a statement by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri which he said when he hosted PDP Cross River candidates for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, House of Assembly elections and local government party chairmen at his private residence in Rumueprikom.

The PDP South-South National Vice-Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih was also in attendance at the meeting, Naija News reports.

3. Amotekun, Local Vigilantes Are No Match For Bandits – El-Rufai

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has said the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun and other local security outfits cannot match bandits and terrorists.

The Governor stated local security outfits such as Amotekun and vigilantes do not have the necessary firepower and skill set to face bandits.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, El-Rufai said both local security outfits and vigilantes can only provide local intelligence.

El-Rufai said the intention of his Ondo state counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, to procure arms for operatives of Amotekun is a simple way of combating banditry.

4. More Troubles For Peter Obi, Labour Party As 3rd Force Movement Rejects Presidential Campaign List, Threaten To Dump Party

The Labour Party (LP) might have plunged itself into further controversies following reactions that have continued to trail the recently released presidential campaign list for the Obi-Datti 2023 candidacy.

This is as the leadership of the National Consultative Front (NCFront) which is the umbrella body for the 3rd force movement consisting of key political groups supporting the Labour Party has threatened to dump the party if the campaign list is not reviewed and adjusted accordingly.

The group submitted that the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council list released on Wednesday in Abuja only took care of Peter Obi’s associates and ignored other stakeholders supporting the party.

The NCFront further accused the party of failing to consult widely before announcing the list adding that there are many opportunists and liabilities in the released list.

It gave the Labour Party a time frame to review or they will dump the party and start negotiating with another political party.

The grievances were made known in a joint statement by the Communication Executive of NCFront -3rd Force Mega Coalition of Nigeria, Bilikis Bello and the Convener, 40Million Ballots Movement, Comrade Kennedy Iyere.

5. Court Acquits Ex-Gov Of Jigawa, Saminu Turaki Of N8.3Bn Fraud Charges

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sen. Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, has been acquitted of the N8.3 billion corruption charges preferred against him by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Naija News understands that the politician has been standing trial since May 4, 2007. Turaki was arrested by the anti-graft agency years ago after a warrant of arrest was issued by a Federal High Court in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, on May 3, 2013.

Turaki and three companies were involved in the trial which officially started on May 4, 2007.

The EFCC had dragged Turaki to court over a 33-count charge bothering on diversification and misappropriation of state funds.

However, the Federal High Court sitting in Dutse on Thursday afternoon, discharged and acquitted the former governor. The presiding judge, Justice Hassan Dikko, who delivered the ruling, struck out all charges and discharged all the accused persons for want of diligent prosecution.

He further ordered that the travel documents of the 1st accused person be released to him with immediate effect.

6. #ASUUStrikeUpdate: ASUU NEC Set For Crucial Meeting As Students Await Resumption Update

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will hold its much-anticipated meeting on Thursday (today) and the meeting will last overnight.

Naija News reports the ASUU leadership meeting is expected to take a final decision on the possibility or otherwise of suspending its current strike action.

A source quoted by Punch regarding the meeting confirmed the ASUU leadership will meet overnight and the agenda is about the protracted strike which has been on since February 14.

The source said, “We will have a meeting today and it will last overnight so that we will be given enough time to deliberate and make a conclusion.”

When pressed for more details, the source however refused to confirm if the union will call off its strike.

7. Fresh Troubles For Kachikwu As ADC Ratifies Presidential Candidate’s Expulsion

The African Democratic CongressAfrican Democratic Congress (ADC) might have plunged itself into further controversies following the ratification of the expulsion of its presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu.

Naija News recalls that the party had in September announced the suspension and expulsion of Kachikwu, his running mate, Ahmed Rufai, and some chieftains from the party.

At a Special National Convention held on Thursday in Zaria, Kaduna State, the party ratified the immediate expulsion of its presidential candidate and his running mate.

Others expelled from the party include the Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, National Vice Chairman, North-East, other State Chairmen and party executives.

The party also replaced national officers whose tenure expired with the election of new national officers by affirmation.

Consequently, Ralph Nwosu was returned as the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Saidu was returned as the National Secretary, and Mrs. Kyauta was named the National Women Leader, among others.

8. Senate Passes N66.9bn Police Trust Fund Budget

The Nigerian Senate has passed the N65.905bn budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for the year 2022.

The trust fund is made up of personnel expenditure of N948.81m, total overhead costs of N8.857bn and total capital expenditure of N56.099bn.

The Senate passed the budget on Wednesday after a harmonised report of its Committee on Police Affairs and that of the House of Representatives was adopted.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Halliru Jika while presenting the report revealed that the revenue sources for the proposed budget as: 0.5 per cent of the total revenue accrued to the federation account amounting to N52.569bn; 0.5 per cent of total VAT at N11.720bn; 0.05 per cent of Net Profit of Companies in Nigeria which is N1.145bn and aids, grants donations, etc at N470.250m.

He stated that the Fund was not able to implement its 2021 budget because of a court case filed by the Rivers State government challenging the legality of deducting its money to finance the Fund.

9. ASUU Vs FG: Court Grants Striking Lecturers Conditional Leave To Appeal

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been granted leave to appeal the decision of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria delivered on the 21st of September by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja.

Recall that Justice Polycarp Hamman of the National Industrial Court directed ASUU to return to classrooms after eight months of Strike.

ASUU which was not pleased with the ruling had on the 28th of September applied to the Court of Appeal to grant it leave to appeal against the interlocutory order of Justice Polycarp Hamman.

The union also asked for an order staying the execution of the decision of the National Industrial Court pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.

ASUU also held that the ruling of the National Industrial Court affects its members’ right to a fair hearing and it would be in the interest of justice to stay the execution of the decision pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.

ASUU also held that the ruling of the National Industrial Court affects its members’ right to a fair hearing and it would be in the interest of justice to stay the execution of the decision pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.

The reliefs were brought under Section 6(6) (b), 36 (1) and 243 (3) of the 1999 constitution as amended and Order 6 Rule s 1(1), and Order 10 (1) of the Court of Appeal Rules 2021.

Meanwhile, Justice Hamman Barka in a ruling delivered on October 7th and released today (Thursday), granted ASUU seven days to its notice of appeal before the National Industrial Court on the condition that the order of the lower court is obeyed immediately.

10. BBNaija Star, Rico Swavey Dies After Ghastly Accident

A former Big Brother Naija Season 3 housemate, Rico Swavey, has reportedly died, Naija News reports

It was earlier reported that Rico Swavey was involved in a ghastly motor accident.

His colleague, Alex Unusual had called for prayers via the microblogging platform, Twitter.

She tweeted: “Good morning sweethearts. Please put @iamricoswavey in your prayers today. He was involved in a ghastly accident hours ago and the doctors are still trying to resuscitate him as I just left the hospital. It’s really critical. I’m staying positive.#PrayForRicoSwavey”

Unfortunately, the reality star died Thursday morning after battling for his life.

Those are the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.