Nigeria Newspaper Headlines Today 4th May 2024 [Saturday]

Good morning Nigerians and to the world at large. Here is a summary of Nigeria Newspaper Headlines for today 4th May 2024 [Saturday]:

Nigeria Newspaper Headlines Today 4th May 2024 [Saturday]

1. Yahaya Bello Saga: The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has temporarily halted the proceedings of the Kogi State High Court seeking to charge the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, with contempt. This comes as the Appeal Court granted an ex parte motion for a stay of proceedings of the contempt application filed against the EFCC Chairman by the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

2. Crime: The trial of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, at the Ikeja Special Offences Court has been adjourned to May 9 due to the filing of additional proof of evidence served by the prosecution. Justice Rahman Oshodi postponed the trial after considering arguments from the defendants’ counsel regarding the additional proof of evidence, comprising over 60 pages, served on them by the prosecution earlier in the day.

3. Electricity: Efforts to enhance efficiency in the electricity sector received a boost as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) with the establishment of the Nigerian Independent System Operator of Nigeria Limited (NISO).

4. Freedom of the press: The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has affirmed that no journalist has been detained under the Bola Tinubu administration for practicing responsible journalism. He emphasized that the media enjoys considerable freedom in Nigeria, pledging the federal government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of journalists and upholding press freedom.

5. APC Crisis: A Kano High Court has issued an ex parte order restraining the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 1 Kano, and Commissioner of Police, Kano, from arresting and harassing All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward officers at Abdullahi Ganduje Ward, Dawakin-Tofa local government area of Kano State.

6. Urban Development: The Benue State government has demolished 40 illegal shanties and structures in various locations in Makurdi, the state capital. The General Manager of the Benue State Urban Development Board (UDB), Tarnongo Mede, led a team to carry out the demolition exercise, citing the proliferation of shanties in some parts of the state as the reason.

7. Cryptocurrency Ban: Nigerian fintech companies have cautioned their customers against trading in cryptocurrency or any virtual currency on their platforms, threatening to block any account found engaging in such activities. Opay, Moniepoint, PalmPay, and Paga are among the fintechs that communicated this directive to their customers.

8. Tragedy: Hamza Mohammed has been sentenced to death by hanging for fatally stabbing another man during a brawl in Niger State. Mohammed and Baba Usman allegedly pursued and stabbed the victim, Isah Mohammed, multiple times until he succumbed to his injuries.

9. Edo Gubernatorial Election: Ahead of the gubernatorial election in Edo State on September 21, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) inaugurated a 363-member campaign council. Governor Goodwin Obaseki described the Legacy Group, led by the party’s vice chairman, South-South, Dan Orbih, as disorganized, following their vow not to collaborate with Obaseki and the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, unless their grievances were addressed.

10. Exchange: The naira depreciated to N1,395 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,365 per dollar on Thursday. However, in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), the naira appreciated to N1,400.4 per dollar.