COVER
Tempers Flare in NASS over Endless Terrorists’ Activities
.Lawmakers Angry with Gov’t for Failure to Guarantee Security
. Citizens should Bear Arms-Majority Leader
.Monguno should be Sacked-Chief Whip
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
Tempers rose in the House of Representatives yesterday as lawmakers of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and those of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) berated the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, over the persistent insecurity in the country, calling for citizens to defy the law and take up arms in self-defence.
The lawmakers were provoked by a motion of urgent public importance brought before the House by Hon Shehu Balarabe, who complained of the level of killings and unresisted attacks in his Giwa/ Birnon Gwari, Constituency of Kaduna state.
The lawmaker had enumerated that just between March 24 and 28 alone, 117 people have been killed, 130 abducted and 10, 000 displaced following the activities of terrorists in Kaduna state.
His complain is coming few days after the terrorists attacked Kaduna International Airport and the rail line killing and injuring several person, and taking several others into captivity.
Angered by these recurring attacks that have been left unaddressed, members took turn to speak, condemning the government of the day for its helplessness in addressing terrorists attacks on the country since it took power in 2015.
Key among the contributors on the floor was the Majority Leader Alhassan Addo Doguwa, who is seen as the defender of the APC and the federal government in the House.
Doguwa, was seen for the first time, to have come under strong emotion over the ongoing afflictions of the Nigerian people, when he openly called on citizens to take up arms in self-defence, against the terrorists.
“Mr. Speaker, I arise to speak in the capacity of the Majority Leader who of course is the Ambassador of government on this floor. You can see how this Chamber is thrown into disquiet, how this motion is thrown into emotionally disturbed manner; so emotional by the statements of the mover of the motion.
“When you have a government in place, the major responsibility of that government, especially a democratic one which was elected by the people is to ensure safety of lives and property of the innocent citizens.
“Mr Speaker, when things like this continue on daily basis those of us who are representatives of the government we become speechless. We become speechless here to defend actions by government.
“This is an elected government, under a popular democracy but we continue day in, day out, killings, massacre, armed robbery all over; left, right and centre.
“This is a report from just one local government out of the 774, Giwa local government and the case of Giwa is not just a new case, he is only giving us the most recent happening.
“Giwa has been engulfed by bandits, killings in the last two, three years and Giwa has fallen coincidentally in a state; Kaduna where you have the representation of the Nigerian military and other security agencies, the highest place you can count in the Northern part of the country, why should this thing continue to happen?
“I think government and officials of government, not even the security agencies, security agencies are under democratic authorities. Government in this case has to rise up to its responsibility, call a spade, a spade.
“If it is about funding, each of us here knows we have never have any cause to contemplate funding our security agencies. I believe our relevant Committees are following up in terms of implementation of such fundings through our budget, their oversight processes.
“Why should things continue this way? We are here for the Nigerian people and we must speak for Nigerian people. We cannot sit down here and fold our arms, people who elected us are beng killed by the day.
“I think if there is any other thing, I should add to this motion, Mr. Speaker with due respect to our institutions, on account of this instutional failure, regimental failure on the part of our security agencies because you have just no cause to raise excuse.
“Funding is provided, here we are now as an institution, we have now sent invitation, come and meet with the people of Nigeria, come and interface with us. Let’s see how we can put heads together and address some of these perennial problems. At the end of the day, right from head to top; the IG, every one of them sent a representative. This is a matter that is beyond a mere representative. Every commanding officer of security agency owes Nigeria a duty to come and honour the call of the parliament.
“I’m not trying to preempt Mr Speaker, the actions and the good intentions of the Committee set by this honourable House but security agencies they have to stand up. With all sense of responsibilities, I think Nigerians should this moment, should be allowed to also take arms. Nigerians must be allowed to take up arms in defence of their innocent souls, defend their hard earned properties because it is like a monumental failure, if the agencies of security have failed, then Nigerians should not be seen as failure.
“Let Nigerians organise themselves in the way of civil defence. Let’s organise defence for their innocent souls. Because if the responsibility of the government cannot be carried out democratically, then everyone has the cause to defend himself. Nigerians should no longer be running away from attacks, unnecessary bandits”, the Leader of the ruling party stated.
The Chief Whip, Hon Tahir Monguno, who is also of the APC, said government had the responsibility in law to protect lived and property.
Monguno, who spoke very frankly as a lawyer, said, “a government that fails to guarantee the protection of lives and property of citizens, that government is not supposed to last longer than necessary.”
For Hon Aminu Suleiman, the House should shut down the Chamber in protest of the persistent insecurity until the President finds solutions to the situation.
Hon Ahmed Haha, said they were in doubt of the kind of military operations that were going on in the country upon all the billions of naira pumped into security.
Haha said there was no need to continue to give this military people money anymore as they were unable to justify l their allocations.
Majority of the lawmakers who spoke favoured the call for the sack of the National Security Adviser (NSA), whom they said had been on the saddle all these years, without looking for solutions to the bedeviling Insecurity.
They also demand the sack of the Service Chiefs, newly appointed by President Buhari, at the wake of rising attacks by terrorists, which the sack of their predecessors were also demanded by the House, leading to their eventful replacement with the current Service chiefs.
Tahir Monguno had also accused the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence of irresponsibility to duty, which enabled these agencies to feel relaxed in providing security.
Particularly, the Committee Chairman, Sha’aban Sharada, was alleged to have been missing in action in handling that committee, which the Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, was said to have noticed but could not change him because of his closeness to President Buhari and the villa.
The Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, who presided, said they would carryout their investigations and not spare anyone found culpable in the discharge of duties nothing the House and the executive arm.
Ruling on the motion, he said, “honestly, because of the enormousness of what has happened, we should call it a day. In few days, you lose over 150 citizens in one location, it means a lot”, bringing proceedings at the plenary to an abrupt end.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will spend the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year days in Kuje prison, Abuja, following refusal of his bail application by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih yesterday adjourned the case until Jan.
29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge admitted Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, to bail in the sum of N 300 million each with two sureties.
Justice Anenih, while delivering a ruling said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on Nov. 22.
“The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
Opposing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority
“That says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”
Justice Anenih held that the instant application for bail showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing the ACJA, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on November 22 but was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The organization made this call at the end of its conference held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital weekend.
Thirty resolutions were passed covering security, economy, politics, governance, culture, languages, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights among others.
The Conference President, Samuel Achie and Secretary Suleman Sukukum in a communique noted that the conference received and discussed reports from communities based on which resolutions were reached on securing, reconstruction, rehabilitation and returning communities displaced by violence across the Middle Belt.
“After considering the reports from communities displaced by violent conflicts, conference resolved, and called on government to focus on providing security to deter further displacements.
“Call on government to provide security to enable communities to return. Government and donor partners should assist in reconstructing and returning displaced communities,” the communique stated.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigeria Army represented by Lt Col Abdullahi Mohammed said the Nigerian Army is committed to working closely with communities to achieve a crime-free society, urging communities to support them with credible information.
“Security is a collective effort, and we cannot do it alone, the community plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
“We urge everyone here not to shield or protect individuals involved in criminal activities. Transparency and collaboration, together, with maximum cooperation, we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for our society,” the GOC stated.
The National Coordinator of CONECDA, Dr. Zuwaghu Bonat in his address at the gathering noted that the theme of this year’s program, Returning, Resettling, and Rehabilitating Displaced Communities, was chosen as a wakeup call on the federal government.
He maintained that the organization is aware that President Bola Tinubu has expressed a commitment to ensuring that displaced communities return to their ancestral lands.
He said similarly, some state governments, including Plateau State, have set up committees to address the lingering matter.
The coordinator however cautioned, “It is critical that we avoid generalizations or profiling. For instance, Not all Muslims are involved in terrorism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceful and reject extremist ideologies.
“We also know that some terrorists exploit religion to mobilize support or rationalize their actions. However, their atrocities – slaughtering women, cutting open pregnant mothers, and killing children show a profound disregard for humanity and God. Normal human beings would not commit such acts.
“We must also be cautious about lumping banditry with terrorism. While statistics indicate that many bandits and kidnappers may share similar ethnic backgrounds, kidnapping has now evolved into a profit-driven enterprise. This distinction is vital to address the root causes effectively,” he stated.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon Daniel Kwada noted that the conference was apt to addressed the various underlying issues bedeviling the region and its people.
“We in the Middle Belt have long been standing at the crossroads of Nigeria’s complex history. Despite our tireless efforts to stabilize this nation, we have faced immense challenges, including underdevelopment, security issues, and marginalization.
“Often, we are unfairly maligned, but gatherings like this offer a chance to change the narrative.
“Such conferences set the tone for better discussions. They allow us to drive processes that bring development, ensure security, and elevate our people to greater heights,” Mutfwang noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on banks to reinforce their corporate governance principles and risk management frameworks to boost investor confidence during the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, SEC, said this at the yearly workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop is: “Recapitalisation: Bridging the Gap between Investors and Issuers in the Nigerian Capital Market”.
Agama, represented by the Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Mr John Achile, stated that the 2024–2026 banking sector recapitalisation framework offers clear guidance for issuers while prioritising the protection of investors’ interests
He restated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the recapitalisation process.
The director-general stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.
In view of this, Agama said, “SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing to redefine trust in the market.”
He added that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.
To sustain this momentum, the director-general said that SEC had intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.
According to him, expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratise access to the capital market.
He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.
“Our efforts are anchored on providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation.
“We also ensure timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he added.
Agama listed constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.
He said: “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity.
“It also involves developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.
“The success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.”
Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market.
He stated that the commission is committed to transparency and being mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption.
Achile noted that SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements.
On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, Achile blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap.
He noted that SEC had done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.
He, however, assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CAMCAN, Mrs Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, said banks’ recapitalisation is not just a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen the capital market, and drive sustainable growth.
Joel-Nwokeoma stated that the recent recapitalisation in the banking sector had brought to the fore the need for a more robust and inclusive capital market.
She added that as banks seek to strengthen their balance sheets and improve their capital adequacy ratios, it is imperative to create an environment that fosters trust, transparency, and cooperation between investors and issuers.
The chairman called for collaboration to bridge the gap between investors and issuers to create a more inclusive and vibrant Nigerian capital market.She said: “we must work together to strengthen corporate governance and risk management practices in banks, enhance disclosure and transparency requirements for issuers.” NAN
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