JUBILATION AS 344 KATSINA STUDENTS RELEASED – DAILY TRUST PG.1&5, NATION PG.1&5, PUNCH PG.10, SUN PG.6, THISDAY PG.1&10

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State said Thursday night that 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, have been released.

However, it is not clear if all the students have been released because Masari had earlier said only 333 students were abducted from the school on Friday, December 11. Also, the school register sighted by one of our reporters indicated that 668 students were missing after the attack.

NDDC: SENATE OPENS FRESH PROBE INTO ALLEGED N6.2BN PALLIATIVE MISMANAGEMENT – DAILY TRUST PG.4, NATION PG.8, PUNCH PG.24

The Senate, on Thursday, commenced a fresh investigation into alleged mismanagement of N6.2bn palliative fund in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition summoned the newly-appointed Sole Administrator of the Commission, Effiong Okon Akwa, to respond to the allegations. President Muhammadu Buhari had, a few days ago, sacked Prof Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei-led Interim Management Committee of NDDC and appointed Akwa as the new interim administrator.

N13.8B FRAUD: EX-COAS MINIMAH, TWO ARMY CHIEFS MOVE TO AVERT TRIAL – NATION PG.8

A former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Kenneth Minimah, and two serving senior Army officers have moved to block their trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC indicted them for complicity in the misappropriation of about N13. 8billion from funds provided by the Federal Government for the purchase of military hardware. The two serving officers are one time Chief of Account and Budget, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen.  A. O. Adetayo and ex-Director, Finance and Accounts, Nigerian Army, Brig.- Gen. R. J. Odi.

DARIYE ASKS SUPREME COURT TO UPTURN CONVICTION, REDUCE TERM – PUNCH PG.8, NATION PG.6

A former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, who is currently serving jail term for corruption, on Thursday, pleaded with the Supreme Court to set aside his conviction or, alternatively, reduce the 10 years’ imprisonment. Dariye made this plea through his lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), during the hearing of his appeal against his conviction and sentence by the Supreme Court on Thursday.

#ENDSARS PROTESTERS NOT ECONOMIC SABOTEURS –FALANA – PUNCH PG.24

Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), said on Thursday that #EndSARS protesters were not economic saboteurs as suggested by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, on Tuesday. Justice Tsoho had at the ceremony marking the commencement of the 2020/2021 legal year of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, tried to justify the order issued by another judge of the court, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, freezing the accounts of 20 #EndSARS promoters.

ALLEGED FORGERY: APPEAL COURT REFUSES TO STOP OBASEKI’S TRIAL – SUN PG.26

Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday refused to stop Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki’s trial, over alleged certificate forgery at a Federal High Court in Abuja. Accordingly, the appellate court ordered that Obaseki’s trial should be on day to day basis. Governor Obaseki had approached the appellate court to stay proceedings in his trial pending the determination of his interlocutory appeal.

48 INMATES RELEASED FROM CORRECTIONAL CENTER IN BENUE DURING COVID-19 –ORTOM – SUN PG.5

Ortom, has disclosed that 48 inmates were released from the Maximum Security Custodian Centre (MSCC), Makurdi based on the directive of the Federal Government during the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor, who made the disclosure during a working visit to the facility maximum, revealed further that more inmates would still be released within the confines of the law. He directed the state attorney general and commissioner for justice, who doubles as chairman, prerogative of mercy, to compile a list of deserving inmates for pardon.