COVER
Front Page Comment: The Attack on Gov Ortom
Only few incidents have attracted the level of outrage and condemnation of a wide section of Nigerians like the recent attack by a criminal group on the Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom.
On the fateful Saturday, March 20, a band of deadly herdsmen numbering up to 15 attempted to kill the Benue state governor, while he was undertaking one of his passions apart from governance, farming.
Gov. Ortom was attacked by the militia herdsmen precisely at his private farm at Tyo –Mu on the Makurdi –Gboko Road on the fateful Saturday. Nigerians have been voicing their condemnation of the attack virtually in unison against the dastardly act.President Muhammadu Buhari showed leadership as he reacted hours after the incident to condemn the attack. He also directed the police and other security agencies to move into Benue to ensure the perpetrators were apprehended and other sundry criminals rooted out of the state.
The ruling- All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned the attack on the governor, while also tasking the nation’s security agencies to unravel the criminals behind the attack.
John James Akpan Udoedehe, Secretary of the APC Caretaker Committee who condemned the attack in a statement he signed in Abuja also canvassed for multi sectoral collaboration to end the rising cases of criminalities in the country. The Secretary equally expressed thanks to God for sparing the life of the Benue State governor, while commending the governor’s security details for repelling the attack. “We are confident our security services will do everything to unravel the criminals behind the attack and bring them to book,’’ he added.
Equally outraged at the attack on Ortom, was the main opposition-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which said Nigerians should hold the All Progressives Congress-led administration responsible should any harm befall the Benue State governor.
The party gave the charge while condemning the attack on the governor. In a statement, the party demanded the arrest and prosecution of the Assailants. “The PDP vehemently condemns Saturday’s(March 20)| reckless attack and the assassination attempt on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State by suspected bandits, reported to be killer herdsmen.The party calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to put machinery in motion by ordering an immediate manhunt, arrest and prosecution of the assailants and beef up security around the governor.
“Our party is worried that this brazen attempt at Governor Ortom’s life is coming on the heels of his outspokenness in exposing those allegedly behind the incessant attacks of communities in the state and demanding that the Federal Government live up to its responsibility on the protection of life and property in the state, PDP said in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan.
Similarly, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike condemned the attack on Ortom’s convoy, saying Nigeria could plunge into another civil war if his Benue State counterpart was assassinated. Wike also said the Buhari regime would be held responsible if Ortom was killed. “If you kill Ortom, then be prepared to bury Nigeria. If anything happens to Governor Ortom, the Federal Government will be held responsible and they should be prepared for it,” Wike said in a widely circulated statement.
Earlier, the Nigeria Governors Forum[ NGF] while acknowledging the quick response of the Inspector General of Police in deploying a crack team of detectives to investigate the attack on Ortom, noted with concern that the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) had already claimed responsibility for the assassination attempt and should be arrested and questioned. In its condemnation of the attack the Nigeria Governors said, , the move to make Benue State ungovernable was unacceptable and would fail woefully. NGF in a statement by its Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, described the broad daylight attempt to cut short the life of the governor as shocking and a rude awakening. Fayemi said the Forum empathizes with the governor and the people of Benue State on the sad, cowardly, and wicked plan and condemned the act in strong terms adding all hands must be on deck to uncover the identities of those involved in this heinous crime.
In its response, the governors elected on the platform of PDP maintained, that the assassination attempt on Gov. Ortom was an invitation to anarchy. Chairman of PDP Governors Forum and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, warned that any attempt to harm any Nigerian will be viewed by the Forum as an attempt on all of them.
The Forum reminded the Federal Government of its primary responsibility of securing the nation, especially since it controls the Military.
Equally irked, was a notable Nigerian and former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, who tasked security operatives to step up to the task of securing lives and property to avoid resort of Nigerians to self-help. Mark described the security situation in the country as scandalous and making Nigeria a subject of ridicule before other nations.
The outrage that trailed this unwholesome development in itself has silenced the mischief makers, who had taken to the social media to insinuate that the attack on Ortom was either fake, stage-managed or a political gimmick. Some even mocked the Governor over the reports that he ran a race of his life to escape the assassins’ bullets.
On our part, we sympathise with the Governor over this incident and pray that no Nigerian, including the cynics should ever experience such an attack as psychological trauma on the victim is better imagined.
Ortom himself cleared the air when he visited President Buhari in the State House, that he would never fake such an unfortunate incident as a man of faith. We believe him.
DAILY ASSET joins millions of Nigerians to condemn in the strongest possible terms the attempt to take Gov Ortom’s life. We have on many occasions held strongly on the sanctity of life and that no Nigerian, no matter how powerful, should take advantage to end the life of another.
It is instructive that Ortom has been engaged in a cantankerous relationship with some groups especially the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Cattle Breeders Association, Fulani Nationalities Movement(FUNAM) over the ‘Open Grazing Prohibition Act’ in operation in the state. The attack appears to be a fall out of the sour relationship. That FUNAM publicly accepted responsibility on the attack shows the enormity of the hatred between the Herders and Ortom.
DAILY ASSET calls on the special investigating team to interrogate these groups especially their vocal leaders to establish their culpability or otherwise.
We hold the view that the continued opposition to the Open Grazing Prohibition Act appears to have been overtaken by events as virtually the whole country has come to terms with Ortom’s position that ranching is the best way to keep animals in modern times especially given the prevailing circumstances in the country. The Northern Governors Forum has already endorsed ranching as a panacea to the incessant farmers-herders clashes. Apart from Benue, Taraba and Ekiti states, where a similar law is in operation, Bayelsa has enacted its version; Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong has sent a similar Bill to the State House of Assembly, while other Governors are also on at various stages of making the law. We commend all the states that have seen the light to embrace ranching of animals and strongly urge the remaining states to follow suit.
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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