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Ethical, Balanced Journalism Essential To Northern Nigeria’s Future – Information Minister
Ethical, Balanced Journalism Essential To Northern Nigeria’s Future – Information Minister
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit in Kano on Monday, has called on media professionals in Northern Nigeria to uphold ethical, balanced and responsible journalism, saying the region’s future will be shaped not only by development projects but also by the stories told about its people and its potential.
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“The future of Northern Nigeria will not be determined only by the quality of our roads, our farms or our industries. It will also be shaped by the quality of our ideas and the stories we tell about ourselves,” the Minister said on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit in Kano.
He said the media remains one of the most powerful forces for shaping public opinion, attracting investment, preserving culture, strengthening democracy and promoting national unity. “The theme of this Summit, ‘Government-Citizen Accord: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice, reminds us that democracy works best when government is accountable, citizens participate responsibly, and the media performs its constitutional role with professionalism, fairness and integrity. These are partners in building a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria,” he said.
The Minister noted that while digital technology has created new opportunities for communication and economic growth, it has also increased the spread of misinformation and disinformation. “Falsehood often travels faster than truth. That is why professional journalism has never been more important. Credible journalism must continue to stand for accuracy, fairness, verification and responsibility,” he stated.
Idris reaffirmed the Tinubu Administration’s commitment to press freedom and constructive engagement with the media. “We remain committed to upholding press freedom as a pillar of democracy and to creating an enabling environment where journalists can carry out their duties professionally. Democracy flourishes when citizens are well informed, and the media performs its watchdog role responsibly,” he said.
The Minister urged journalists to present a balanced picture of Northern Nigeria by reporting both its challenges and its progress. “Northern Nigeria is far more than insecurity. It is home to entrepreneurs, farmers, innovators, researchers, artists, and young people who are transforming their communities every day. These stories deserve to be told alongside the challenges because they present a fuller and more accurate picture of our region,” he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Idris said the Federal Government is investing in infrastructure, education, security and economic reforms to unlock opportunities across the country. He cited the Four Legacy Highway Projects, the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and ongoing investments in rail, energy and logistics as key initiatives driving growth, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
He also highlighted two major milestones under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) and the launch of the Digital Switch Over (FreeTV) platform. “These initiatives will strengthen responsible journalism, expand access to quality broadcasting, create jobs, promote local content and position Nigeria as a leader in the fight against misinformation and disinformation,” the Minister said.
Calling on media practitioners to help shape a better future for the region, Idris said, “Tell the stories of our innovators. Tell the stories of our farmers. Tell the stories of our entrepreneurs. Tell stories that inspire confidence without abandoning truth. Tell stories that unite rather than divide.”
The inaugural Arewa Media Summit, convened by Malam Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, brought together journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital creators, academics, communication professionals and policymakers.
Information Minister
The summit was attended by the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf; the Executive Governor of Yobe state, ably represented by the SSG of Yobe State, Dr. Mohammed Goje; the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, ably represented by Honourable Commissioner of Information Kebbi State, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK; the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha; the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga; the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun; the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, the Honourable Commissioner of Information, Kaduna State, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, amongst other important dignitaries.
Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.
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Monday, July 6, 2026
Saleh Mamman Forfeits More Properties To Federal Government
Justice James Omotosho of Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, July 2, 2026 ordered the forfeiture of five properties, belonging to a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who is serving 75 years jail term for corruption.
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Forfeited permanently among them is Walijam Apartments, located on No. 43 Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, while those forfeited on interim basis are: Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, located on No. 5 Amana Crescent, New Estate, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; a mansion on No. 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; another at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja and A.U.A Plaza on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
In ruling on the final forfeiture application, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was able to establish that the convict acquired Walijam Apartments with proceeds of unlawful activities.
On the other hand, he ordered the Commission to publish an order of interim forfeiture in a national newspaper within seven days, for interested parties to appear before the court and show cause as to why the other four properties should not be finally forfeited to the federal government.
Saleh Mamman
The EFCC prosecuted Mamman before Justice James Omotosho on an amended 12-count charge of corruption and money laundering to the tune of N33. 8 billion. The judge convicted him on all the counts on May 7, 2026 and sentenced him to 75 years imprisonment on May 13, 2026.
While ill-gotten assets were recovered from him in the course of the trial, the judge further ordered him to refund the N22 billion the Commission successfully traced to him.
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Court Remands Couple For N10m Alleged Land Fraud In Port Harcourt
Justice S.I. Mark of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the remand of Julie Akue Onwuegbu and her husband, Wisdom Onwuegbu in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre for land fraud.
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The couple was arraigned on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 by the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a three-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N10 million.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Julie Akue Owuegbu and Wisdom Onwuegbu between 11th April, 2024 and 15th April, 2024 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira, only) from one Mr. Taofik Bello under the pretence of transferring and holding yourself as the rightful owner of a plot of land, situated at Queen Park Estate, (Royal Park Estate), Ohia Eli-Mini, Eneka in, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, the pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (b) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
They pleaded “not guilty,” following which prosecution counsel, I. Igwu asked the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, while the defence counsel, Igwe Okoronkwo, informed the court of a pending bail application of the defendants before the court and urged the court to admit them to bail to enable them prepare adequately for their defence.
Justice Mark ordered the remand of the couple in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre and adjourned till July 10, 2026 for ruling on their bail application.
The couple’s journey to the Correctional centre began with a petition on November, 2024, in which the petitioner alleged that one Enitan Joseph, sometime in April, 2024, introduced him to the first defendant, Julie Onwuegbu, with a claim that she had a piece of land to sell in Queens Park Estate, Eneka, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. With the price agreed on N10 million, payments were made to the defendant in two instalments of N1million and N9 million, respectively into her Eco Bank and First Bank accounts.
Court
The petitioner further alleged that the defendant provided him with a signed Deed of Conveyance as an authority for him to have access to the property but that his attempt to develop the land was stopped by someone who claimed ownership of it. Further in his petition, he alleged that the first defendant could not do anything to resolve the matter and that when further enquiries were made on the land, it was discovered that the first defendant did not own any land in the estate.
Investigation further revealed that the first defendant transferred part of the proceeds of her alleged crime to her husband’s company account. And that all efforts by the petitioner to either recover the land or his money proved abortive.
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High Court Fixes July 10 For Judgment On Malami’s 57 Properties Forfeiture Suit
A Federal High Court in Abuja has set July 10, 2026 as new date for judgment in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
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The presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik had earlier fixed Monday, July 6, 2026 for judgment after both parties adopted their final processes and argued the case on May 26. However, the judge moved her judgment to Friday, July 10, 2026
The EFCC previously secured an interim forfeiture order for the assets, valued at over N212 billion. The properties are located in Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna. The EFCC had argued that the properties were proceeds of official corruption and abuse of office.
Malami’s legal team challenged the move, asserting that the assets were legitimately acquired by the former minister who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
At the last hearing, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, counsel to the EFCC prayed the court to grant the application, relying on a 47-paragraph affidavit and 46 exhibits filed in support of the motion.
Okutepa argued that Malami and the other respondents in the matter failed to satisfactorily explain the legitimate sources of the assets and urged the court to order their permanent forfeiture.
Abubakar Malami
In response, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, counsel to Malami and other respondents, asked the court to dismiss the application and set aside the interim forfeiture order earlier granted.
Adedeji relied on a counter-affidavit deposed to by Malami, arguing that the EFCC’s case was founded on suspicion rather than credible evidence.
Justice Abdulmalik fixed July 10, 2026 for judgment in the matter.
Eereporter.com
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