Nigerian Newspapers headlines for today Wednesday, May 24, 2023: 10 things you need to know

1) The United Kingdom has barred international students from travelling with their families. The change, which affects all international students except those enrolled in postgraduate research programmes, will become effective in January.

2) On Tuesday, the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, absolved himself of responsibility for the circumstances that led to the relocation of the $19 billion Dangote refinery from Ogun State to Lagos. Abiodun explained that he was not involved in the actions that drove Africa’s wealthiest man from the state.

3) On Tuesday, the Presidential Election Petition Court announced the hearing schedule for petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, and Allied Peoples Movement seeking to invalidate Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 election. The court announced that the petitions would be heard beginning on May 30.

4) On Tuesday, there was panic in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, when approximately 35 students from Fakunle Comprehensive School, Osogbo, were hospitalised after inhaling teargas fired by riot police. Students who became unconscious after inhaling tear gas were rushed to two separate hospitals for emergency care.

5) Mr. Jerry Alagbaoso, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition, tendered his resignation on the House floor on Tuesday. Additionally, Alagbaoso declared his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. This occurs less than one month before the current Assembly’s conclusion.

6) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday for signing into law eight bills with “extensive effects,” one of which is the National Social Investment Establishment Act, 2023.

7) 132 Microfinance Banks, three finance companies, and four primary mortgage banks have had their operating licences revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Atlas Microfinance Bank, Bluewhales Microfinance Bank, Everest Microfinance Bank, Mainsail Microfinance Bank, Nopov Microfinance Bank, Ohon Microfinance Bank, Premium Microfinance Bank, and Statesman Microfinance Bank are among the affected Microfinance banks. Read More

8) A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a ruling for this Friday on an ex-parte application filed by three individuals seeking to halt the inauguration of President-elect Bola Tinubu until the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) rules on their petitions. Justice James Omotosho selected the date yesterday after hearing the applicant’s attorney’s arguments.

9) The embattled afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has been released from police custody. A Yaba Chief Magistrate Court remanded the singer to the State Criminal, Investigations and Intelligence Department, SCIID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, for allegedly assaulting a police officer in a viral video. Read More

10) The Delta State Police Command has apprehended 38-year-old Bibi Asengbe, a suspected gun runner and infamous cultist who was on the command’s wanted list. When he was apprehended, the suspect was en route to Jakpa Junction, Warri, at a cost of N250,000 to deliver arms to one of his clients.