Daily Newspapers Review Monday September 26, 2016

Crack in APC as Tinubu says Oyegun must go – Daily Trust Pg.1, Daily Sun pg.12, The Nation pg.1

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu has called for the sacking of the national chairman, John Oyegun, a fall out of the dispute over Ondo State’s governorship primary election.

In a statement on Sunday, Sen. Tinubu reeled out a litany of sins against the national chairman for which he said he must go.Tinubu and Oyegun reportedly parted ways soon after the Ondo State APC gubernatorial primary election held on September 3.

Budget crisis: I’m ready for jail – Jibrin

Daily Trust pg.3, This Day pg.56

The former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has said he was ready to go to jail if the corruption allegations he raised against Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three others were found to be false.

Jibrin told journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday that he believed in his allegations but that if they were later found otherwise, he would go to jail for lying.

Biafra: Kanu petitions NJC, as trial begins today – Daily Trust pg.52

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu’s trial on six count charges of treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and belonging to unlawful society, alongside Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, is expected to continue today.

Treat evidence against Mrs. Jonathan with caution- Group
Daily Trust pg.52, Daily Sun pg.9

Some lawyers, under the auspices of “Human Rights and Corruption Activist,” said on Sunday that there was the need to treat any evidence of financial misconducts against the former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, with caution.

Three companies have pleaded guilty for laundering $15.6 million for Mrs. Jonathan.

Ondo APC primary: Abraham heads to court
Daily Trust pg.52

One of the gubernatorial contestants of the All Progressives Congress  Party (APC) in Ondo State, Engr. Segun Abraham,  who came second in the primary election held on September 3 in Akure,  has said that he would not leave the party and  vowed  to reclaim  what he called his mandate in the courts.

At a press conference on Sunday in Akure, Abraham, said to be the anointed candidate of the APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu, said he will not move an inch from the party, saying landlords could not abandon their houses for the tenants.

Why we want to sell assets – Udoma

Daily Trust pg.6

The Federal Government’s stimulus plan is not to sell all critical national assets but to source immediate funds to reflate the economy and implement capital projects in the 2016 budget.
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said this in Lagos at the weekend while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming Nigeria Economic Summit.

SERAP asks court to order Patience Jonathan’s prosecution – Daily Trust pg.8, Nation pg.7

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken the Federal Government to  the Federal High Court in Lagos asking for an order to compel the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) to institute criminal proceedings against a former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, over her $15m frozen in four companies’ accounts.

The suit number FHC/L/CS/1318/2016 dated September 23, 2016 was filed on behalf of SERAP by Adetokunbo Mumuni.

Alleged looting:4 more suspects arrested in Benue – Daily Sun pg.5

The police in Benue state have arrested four more persons who were allegedly indicted by the Elizabeth Kpojime Judicial Commission of inquiry for alleged looting of the state Treasury.

The police had earlier arrested 10 former aide to former Governor Gabriel Suswam and detained them at police Headquarters, Abuja.

Niger Delta crisis: FG negotiating Nigeria’s sovereignty- Soyinka

Daily Sun pg.6

Nobel Laurent, Prof Wale Soyinka, has opened up on his discussion with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa, Abuja on August 11, 2016.

He told newsmen after the meeting that ‘national and international, were discussed’ He promised to hold a press conference in due course.

Buhari taking Nigeria out of wilderness, says Osinbajo – Punch pg.10

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says President Muhammadu Buhari is taking Nigeria out of the wilderness just as Moses took the children of Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land.

Osinbajo said this at the 56th Independence Anniversary Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Sunday. The promise of God, he said, included building a new Nigeria where there would be peace from North-East to the Niger Delta, and where there would be jobs for the unemployed.

EFCC probes Diezani over N4b hotel deal with ex-MILAD – The Nation pg.1

Detectives have uncovered another multi-billion naira transaction believed to have been carried out by former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing a N4billion hotel deal between Mrs. Alison-Madueke and a former military administrator, whose identity is yet to be released “so as to protect the investigation”.

Army dismisses latest Boko Haram video – The Nation pg.6

The military yesterday said the factional leader of the terrorist group Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau is “unstable and irrational saying he must release the abducted Chibok girls unconditionally.

The Army was responding to the latest video released by Shekau, describing it as propaganda and sign of desperation.

ICPC investigates N1.8b pension fraud – The Nation pg.1

About 800 fraudulent pension accounts have been closed following the introduction of the Bank Verification Number (BVN).

Besides, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is investigating the mismanagement of close to N2biillion pension cash.

Forgery: Police reopen probe of Saraki, Ekweremadu – Nation pg.7, ThisDay pg. 1

The Nigeria Police Force has reopened investigation into the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules 2015 by writing to the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Mr. Mohammed Sani Omolori for additional information to assist its investigation.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the immediate past Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Salisu Maikasuwa, are already standing trial and the hearing of the case will continue on Wednesday.

Lawyers advise EFCC on probe – The Nation pg.28

Some lawyers yesterday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to be cautious with its probe of former First Lady Mrs Patience Jonathan.

The lawyers, Ugochukwu Osuagwu, Elvis Offor, Miss Vina Amaka, Benard Nwauduna and Divine Sunday Ofuma, in a statement, said the anti-graft agency will indirectly be probing ex- President Goodluck Jonathan through his wife.