Morning recap: El-Rufai demands N10bn from Musa, FG tightens foreign travel rules, NAFDAC blames Chinese dealers for fake goods, other top stories

Several major developments are making headlines this morning, including a fresh defamation dispute between former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Defence Minister Christopher Musa, with El-Rufai demanding N10bn and an apology over alleged defamatory remarks.

The Federal Government has also tightened rules for official foreign trips, requiring ministers, directors-general and other government appointees to obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

NAFDAC has linked Chinese counterfeiters operating in Nigeria to the growing circulation of fake and substandard goods, while a policy think tank warns that N355.9bn in student loans could face recovery difficulties under the current system.

In Sokoto, youths protested the continued remand of Islamic cleric Dahiru Mai Barewa, with the demonstration escalating into a clash with security personnel.

Here’s your complete morning roundup:

1. Defamation: JNI, CAN seek restraint as El-Rufai sues Musa for N10bn

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is demanding N10bn and a public apology from Defence Minister Christopher Musa over alleged defamatory statements made during a television programme. Muslim and Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna are meanwhile calling for restraint as the dispute threatens to deepen tensions in the region.

Read Here: https://punchng.com/defamation-jni-can-seek-restraint-as-el-rufai-sues-musa-for-n10bn/

2. Fake agency sagas: Ministers, DGs face fresh hurdles over foreign trips

The Federal Government has ordered ministers, directors-general and other appointees to obtain prior OSGF approval before embarking on official foreign trips. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must now demand evidence of the approval before processing official travel documents.

• Defamation: JNI, CAN seek restraint as El-Rufai sues Musa for N10bn
• ‘N355.9bn NELFUND loans face recovery risk’
• 2027: Makinde, Obi mobilise opposition to ‘Reset’ Nigeria

Read Here: https://punchng.com/fake-agency-sagas-ministers-dgs-face-fresh-hurdles-over-foreign-trips/

3. Counterfeit crisis: NAFDAC blames Chinese dealers amid backlash

NAFDAC says Chinese counterfeiters operating from Nigeria have established plants and logistics channels to distribute fake goods. The agency says it has already shut down some of the logistics companies and is prosecuting suspects over counterfeit products.

Read Here: http://punchng.com/counterfeit-crisis-nafdac-blames-chinese-dealers-amid-backlash/

4. N355.9bn NELFUND loans face recovery risk

A higher education policy think tank says N355.87bn disbursed by NELFUND to about 850,000 beneficiaries could prove difficult to recover. It warns the government has roughly 18 months to strengthen its recovery system before the first beneficiaries become subject to repayment enforcement.

Read Here: https://punchng.com/n355-9bn-nelfund-loans-face-recovery-risk/

5. Protest in Sokoto over court order remanding Islamic cleric

Youths in Sokoto protested the continued remand of Islamic cleric Dahiru Mai Barewa and clashed with security personnel. The protesters reportedly blocked roads and attempted to secure his release after a court ordered his re-arrest and remand over alleged death threats.

Read Here: https://punchng.com/protest-in-sokoto-over-court-order-remanding-islamic-cleric/