Victor EzejaHere are the top 10 stories from across Nigerian daily Newspapers for today, 16th February 2023 on politics, economy, business, and more.
1. 2023 Elections: We’re Watching Nigeria – UN
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe United Nations (UN) has said it is watching Nigeria so carefully as the country conducts crucial general elections this year, to elect a new president, national assembly members, governors and the house of assembly members.
2. Naira Scarcity: Violent Protests Rock Parts Of Nigeria
The biting scarcity of new naira notes amid the phasing out of old notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the implementation of its latest monetary policy, Nigerians in the latest few days have taken to the streets, staging protests in some states in the country to vent their frustration with the development.
The protests which often turned violent have been witnessed in Warri, Delta State, Edo, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, and Kwara states, among others. Read more
3. Old Naira Notes: S’Court Overrules CBN, Adjourns Till Feb 22
The Supreme Court has ruled that the old naira notes (N1,000, N500, N200) remain legal tender as its 8th February order barring the Federal Government and its agencies from enforcing the February 10 deadline subsists.
The court made the clarification following a complaint by the lawyer to Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara states, Abdulhakeem Mustapha that the Federal Government and its agencies had failed to comply with the order and had allegedly directed the rejection of the old notes.
The apex court had granted an ex parte application suspending the implementation of the February 10 deadline fixed by the CBN to end the legal tender status of the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes.
The court adjourned proceedings on the matter till February 22, as more states join in the suit. Read more
4. IPOB: Finland Considers Appropriate Actions Over Ekpa’s Activities
As the Nigerian self-acclaimed spokesperson of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, continues to engage in activities that threaten peace in the Southeast, the Finish Government is considering appropriate actions to curtail his excesses.
Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, who stated that Ekpa’s activities were of serious concern to Finland, declared that his country cannot trade its relations with Nigeria (which has lasted for 60 years) for anything.
Ekpa, who is based in Finland, has been issuing sit-at-home orders in the region making his supporters unleash mayhem on residents of the region in the guise of enforcement.
He also threatened to bar election in the Southeast region in protest of the continued incarceration of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Pylvanainen in a meeting with the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, in Abuja, said that efforts are ongoing to address the issue, adding that Finland was watching to see how the situation fits into the country’s legal framework for proper prosecution.
5. Court Orders Evans To Refund €233,000 Ransom Collected From Kidnap
Lagos high court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has ordered kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, to refund the sum of €233,000 ransom he forcefully collected from one of his victims, Chief Donatus Dunu.
The presiding judge, Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi, also ordered the kidnapper who has since been convicted, to pay N50 million as general damages in favour of the claimant.
6. Fuel Scarcity: NMDPRA Threatens Suspension, Revocation of Erring Marketers’ Licences
The Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) yesterday, said it might suspend the operations of petroleum products marketers or revoke their licences due to a breach of Health, Safety Environment and Community (HSEC) guidelines.
The director of Health, Safety Environment and Community (HSEC) department of the NMDPRA, Nsikak Bassey, who gave the directive during a meeting with the safety team of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), said fuel stations must report fire incidents in their premises within 24 hours of such occurrence or face sanctions, ranging from fines to suspension of operation/revocation of license.
7. Sanwo-Olu Urges Lagosians To Continue Using Old Naira As Legal Tender
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged the residents to continue using the old naira as legal tender. The governor vowed to prosecute anyone rejecting old naira notes as legal tender across the state.
8. Naira Scarcity: Banks Lose N5bn To Destruction Of Facilities By Protesters
The recent attacks and destruction of bank facilities by protesters over the scarcity of naira notes have made banks lose the sum of N5 billion across the country, says the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions.
9. Supreme Court Dismisses Suit Against Abia PDP 3-man Delegate List
The Supreme Court of Nigeria Wednesday, dismissed the appeal filed by opposition parties seeking to nullify Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election which produced the late Prof Ikonne as its Governorship candidate among other candidates for other offices.
The case had earlier been instituted at the Federal High Court, Umuahia by Barr. Ndudi Nwagbara, Onyekachi Abaribe and five others against INEC, PDP, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Prof Ikonne and 35 others, reached the Supreme Court through appeal.
10. More CSOs Join Protest Against EFCC Chairman, Barwa
The Anti-corruption Civil Society Organisations agitating for the removal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, have said they would not back down by any form of intimidation.
This is as more CSOs have joined over 120 others to continue with the agitation.
The group’s agitation is hinged on alleged disobedience of court orders by the EFCC chairman.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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