Nigerian Newspaper Headlines 22 October 2024

1. FG Starts Payment Of 300% Salary Increase To Judicial Officers, Plans Review Of Nigerian Laws – Fagbemi

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has confirmed that the federal government has commenced the payment of the 300% salary increase to judicial officers in the country.

The AGF gave the confirmation on Monday while speaking during the 12th Convocation ceremony of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), which took place on Monday in Ekiti State.

The Minister said the upward review of the salary of judicial officers is part of the interventions of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Fagbemi also announced the intention of the federal government to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Nigeria’s laws to better address the nation’s evolving needs.

He said the review will cut across all aspects of national life, including social, economic and political aspects.

2. No Acting Chief Of Army Staff – DHQ Reveals When Lagbaja Will Resume, Speaks On Military Coup

The Defence Head Quarters (DHQ) has announced that no appointment as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) exists within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

This is as the DHQ clarified that Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim, remains the Chief of Policy and Plans, and has not been appointed as the acting Chief of Army Staff.

The DHQ, in a statement on Monday by the Director Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, said Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, remains the COAS, and Ibrahim provides routine briefs to the COAS as per standard operating procedure.

The DHQ added that Lagbaja is on leave and would resume immediately after his leave.

The DHQ also rubbished calls for a military coup to take over power from President Bola Tinubu.

Gusau stressed the loyalty of the Nigerian Military to President Tinubu and appreciated him for his support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

3. Why We Arrested Bobrisky – FG Confirms Viral Report

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, at the Seme border while he was attempting to leave the country.

Naija News reports that NIS confirmed his arrest in a statement issued on Monday by DCI KT Udo, the Service Public Relations Officer.

The Service said the social media sensation is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern.

Naija News reported that Bobrisky was arrested at the Seme border during passport checks on Monday, October 21.

An Immigration source told Premium Times that Bobrisky was arrested at midnight, detained until this morning, and moved to the NIS’s Lagos zone in Ikeja.

4. UK Replies Tinubu Govt, Reveals Why Air Peace Was Denied Heathrow Airport Slots

The United Kingdom Government has explained why Nigerian flag carrier Air Peace was denied access to Heathrow Airport.

The UK government gave the explanation in a letter by its Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, addressed to Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

Recall that Keyamo wrote a diplomatic letter to the UK aviation authorities requesting landing slots for Air Peace at Heathrow, the preferred airport for many international airlines operating in the UK.

Responding, Haigh stated that Air Peace submitted its requests for slots too late for both the Summer 2024 and Winter 2024/2025 seasons.

He explained that Air Peace’s request was received after the Airports Coordination Limited (ACL) had already completed the slot coordination process for the summer season.

Outlining the options available to Air Peace, Haigh stated that the airline could either join the waitlist, operate from another airport, or acquire slots through slot trading and commercial arrangements with other carriers.

5. “Those Calling For EFCC Scrapping Are Feeling The Heat” – Uwajuren

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a stern warning against the growing calls for the scrapping of the anti-graft agency.

This statement comes in the wake of a legal challenge by 16 governors who are contesting the legality of the EFCC’s establishment in court.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwajuren spoke out against the challenges faced by the agency, asserting that the absence of an anti-graft body would leave Nigeria vulnerable to rampant corruption.

He emphasized that the EFCC plays a crucial role in maintaining accountability and integrity within the country’s governance.

Uwajuren claimed those behind the challenge are “feeling the heat” of EFCC’s work and do not want to be held accountable.

6. Tinubu Interested In Nigerian Judiciary’s Independence – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is keenly interested in Nigerian judiciary’s independence.

Wike, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, stressed that the Tinubu’s administration is focused on safeguarding Nigeria’s judiciary from any attempts at manipulation or coercion.

Naija News reports that Wike made these remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of judges’ quarters in the Katampe District of Abuja on Monday.

The development will consist of 40 residences designated for various categories of judges, with an expected completion period of 15 months.

7. Charge Anyone Found With Drugs In My House To Court – Ashiru Challenges NDLEA

The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Oyelola Ashiru, has challenged the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to charge anyone found with hard drugs in his house to court.

The Kwara Senator challenged the NDLEA to prosecute anyone arrested by its operatives in connection with illicit drugs.

The lawmaker made the challenge in response to an allegation on Monday by the NDLEA that discovered hard drugs in one of his houses in Ilorin.

Naija News reports Ashiru had last Wednesday in the Senate during a debate on a Bill seeking to establish a National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, said the “NDLEA is corrupt and already compromised.”

However, the NDLEA, on Monday, said it recovered illicit drugs from the personal residence of the Kwara South Senator, suggesting that the lawmaker’s recent criticisms of the agency stem from personal vendetta rather than genuine concern for the national interest.

The NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd), countered the senator’s claims. He stated that Ashiru’s remarks were not motivated by altruism but rather by a desire to deflect attention from the agency’s findings.

Represented by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Marwa emphasized that the agency would continue its efforts to dismantle illicit drug networks, including those operating from the senator’s property.

In a quick response, Senator Ashiru, in a statement through his special assistant, Olaitan Adeyanju, challenged the NDLEA to charge the culprits allegedly found in his house to court.

He said the exposure of the corruption in the NDLEA is responsible for the agency’s attacks on the lawmaker.

8. Bobrisky: Interior Minister Reveals Next Line Of Action As Investigate Panel Submits Report

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has promised that the report and recommendations of the panel set up regarding the allegations involving crossdresser Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) would not be swept under the carpet.

The Minister also vowed that all indicted officers would face appropriate disciplinary measures.

While reiterating the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, Tunji-Ojo added that the Nigerian Correctional Service would continue to undergo reforms to ensure it meets the standard for its establishment.

Naija News reports the Interior Minister stated this on Monday after receiving the report of the federal government investigative panel constituted to look into the allegations of corruption and violations against the Nigerian Correctional Service.

As earlier reported by Naija News, the panel said it found no evidence that Bobrisky slept outside the prison walls after he was sentenced but enjoyed several privileges.

9. Your Statement On Capturing Ondo State Is Reckless And Inappropriate – PDP Fires Ganduje

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, of making reckless and inappropriate statements.

The PDP made the allegation in a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

Ologunagba made the submission while reacting to Ganduje’s statement that the APC would capture Ondo State and other southwest states in the coming elections.

Naija News recalls Ganduje made this known on Sunday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, alongside members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

Reacting to the position of the APC chairman, Ologunagba said Ganduje’s comments are reckless and threatening, adding that such threats of a forceful takeover would be resisted.

He added that any attempt to impose an unpopular government could lead to a crisis as the people of the southwest would not be enslaved in their own land.

10. It Is Annoying For Leaders To Lead People Into What They Do Not Know Enough About – Obasanjo

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has urged leaders to read and acquire knowledge to enable them to govern properly.

He condemned the rampant illiteracy among leaders which manifest in the quality of leadership across the world today.

Obasanjo lamented over the scarcity of good and quality leadership worldwide.

He said the world today is in short supply of leaders that can drive the world positively.