BUHARI SIGNS 19 OF 131 BILLS IN THREE YEARS – NATION PG 8, DAILY SUN PG. 6, PUNCH PG. 21
President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to 19 of 131 Bills passed by the Senate in the last three years, The Nation’s investigation has revealed. The upper chamber, inaugurated on June 11, 2019, will clock three years on June 10. According to a document sighted by our correspondent in Abuja, the Senate introduced 976 Bills from inception till March 23, 2022. Of the 976 Bills introduced on the floor of the Senate during the period, about 27 were sponsored by the executive while others were Member’s Bills. According to orders 76 (a, b and c) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended), there are three classes of Bills namely: Executive Bills, Member’s Bills and Private Bills. Apart from 2020, 2021 and 2022 Appropriation Bills, other Bills sponsored by the Executive include the Finance Bill 2019 (Nigeria Tax and Fiscal Law) introduced on November 5, 2019 and passed on November 21, 2019.
COCAINE IN 12 TYRES SEIZED AT PORT HARCOURT AIRPORT – NATION PG. 2, DAILY TRUST PG. 12 , DAILY SUN PG. 4 , PUNCH PG. 4AND 5 ,THIS DAY PG. 53
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 24 parcels of cocaine concealed in 12 lawn mower tyres allegedly imported into the country through the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) by a Brazilian returnee, Okechukwu Francis Amaechi. Spokesman of the Agency Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said Amaechi, 45, had just finished serving a jail term in March this year for drug trafficking in the South American country. Babafemi said the suspect, who hails from Idemili South council of Anambra State, was arrested at the Port Harcourt airport on May 7 upon arrival from Brazil via Doha onboard a Qatar Airline flight.
FORENSIC AUDIT: NDDC REVOKES UNEXECUTED CONTRACTS – NATION PG. 5, DAILY TRUST PG. 7
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has revoked all contracts it awarded before December 31, 2019. The NDDC also said the Presidency directed that the affected contractors be made to refund to the commission, all monies paid to them for projects that were either not started or left completed. Corporate Affairs Director of the commission, Dr Ibitiye Abosede, explained yesterday that the actions were the fallout of the forensic audit. Abosede said: “This is to bring to the notice of all contractors engaged by the NDDC as well as stakeholders and the general public that the Presidency has directed that all projects awarded by the commission before December 31, 2019, for which the beneficiary contractors are yet to mobilise to site, are by this directive cancelled.
DEBORAH: 13 MUSLIM GROUPS SEEK LAWS AGAINST BLASPHEMY, JUNGLE JUSTICE – DAILY TRUST PG. 7
The groups, however, urged the federal and state governments to strengthen or promulgate laws to criminalize blasphemy, and killing for blasphemy outside the law, and faithfully enforce them. Professor Lakin Akintola, an Islamic human rights activist and Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), who addressed a press conference in Lagos alongside other Muslim leaders, called for justice against the perpetrators, “irrespective of the nature of their motivation or the justification they claim.” He said the tragic event could be utilized as a turning point in Muslim-Christian relations and herald a new peaceful co-existence, adding, “These are achievable ideals if each religious adherent will embrace and sincerely practice the sublime messages of their faith.”
EFCC ARRESTS MAN OVER OFFENSIVE 2023 CAMPAIGN ADVERT IN ENUGU – DAILY SUN PG.5
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested an outdoor advertisement executive over a political advertisement about the 2023 elections. The advert on two billboards in Enugu State had the name and logo of the commission. The messages on the boards sited at Otigba and Zik Avenue junctions threatened some politicians over the general polls. One of the messages reads: “2023: Enugu PDP Learn from 2007 Election… EFCC IS COMING WITH KOBOKO ON CORRUPT CANDIDATES.” A statement on Sunday by the spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said operatives arrested Baron Nnamdi, the alleged designer, printer and owner of the billboards. Nnamdi claimed he was contracted by a media aide to a former Enugu deputy governor who is in the governorship race.
PROTECTION ACT: FG MAY FLY PROSECUTION WITNESS ABROAD FOR SAFETY REASONS – PUNCH PG. 28
In an effort to protect Nigerians who provide information to security agencies during an investigation and prosecution of offences, the Federal Government has made a provision that allows Nigerians to be kept in foreign countries under witness protection. Similarly, there is a provision that allows foreigners to be kept in Nigeria under witness protection. This is according to the Witness Protection Act 2022, which President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had recently assented to and passed into law. Under Section 17 of the Act titled ‘Agreements with international bodies, institutions, organisations or foreign countries’, it stated that the relevant security agency would require the approval of the Attorney General before making any arrangement with a foreign country or organisation.
