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Ortom Places N50m Ransom On Terror Gang Leader …Challenges Buhari On Herdsmen Killings …Why Killings Have Not Stopped -Yari
Benue State Government has reviewed upward ransom placed on the state most wanted criminal, Terwas Akwas aka Gana to N50million.
The initial ransom placed on Gana about a year ago was N10milliom.
The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Lawrence Onoja Jnr, disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the state security council meeting held at government House, Makurdi yesterday.
He further said that the upward review of the ransom was due to elevated crisis going on in Katsian Ala-Ukum axis.
Onoja further said that the security council had placed a ban on the use of covered plate numbers and indiscriminate use of the siren in the state.
The commissioner added that traditional rulers across the state have been given up to end of February to stop concealing their plate numbers.
He reiterated that the state government does not sponsor any militia as earlier reported in the media and stated that no member of Livestock Guards is allowed to carry arms.
While condemning the killings in Gboko area of the State last Wednesday, the council said that the victims of the attack were not Fulanis and assured the protection of lives and property in the state.
The council appealed to people of the state to continue to obey the law and not to take the law into their hands.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, has hinted that the perennial deadly clashes between herdsmen and farmers have not stopped because some people were benefiting from it financially.
The assertion is coming as the National Economic Council (NEC) under Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has set up a committee headed by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State to interface with Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) towards finding an end to the crisis.
The original committee of governors initially set up by NEC met with Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday, with Yari revealing to State House correspondents that a sub-committee led by Umahi had been established to relate with the umbrella body of Fulani herdsmen.
“Why we cannot say we can put this matter to rest is because some of them have taken this as a money-making venture. Some are criminals who hide under this to perpetrate this act,” he said.
Yari, however, noted that there was progress in the effort to find a lasting solution to the problem.
While fielding questions, he said: “There is progress. One, this committee is a NEC committee established by the Vice President so that this issue of herdsmen/farmers clashes will be put to rest.
“Though is a long-standing problem since 2007 in some states, particularly in my own state, we have been battling with it.
However, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has regarded the cattle colony proposal of the Federal Government as tantamount to resurrecting the days of colonisation and contradicting the principles of federalism as contained in the nation’s constitution.
Speaking yesterday at Government House, Ibadan, when the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and some other traditional rulers visited, Ajimobi said the state would only make its land available for ranching and not cattle colony.
Drawing from cattle rearing practice in some other countries across the world, Ajimobi said the nation must move with modern times where cattle remained in an enclosed area without indiscriminate encroachment of peoples’ lands.
Alluding to the federalism principles which gave states control over their land and resources, he urged the Federal Government to rethink its cattle colony proposal.
“We don’t accept cattle colony in Oyo state as it is tantamount to colonisation. We cannot allow ourselves to be colonised and must move with time. Cattle rearing by the Fulanis is business, so why do we have to give out land for their business. It is a pointer to the fact that federalism is not in Nigeria.
“Do we give land to those involved in poultry across the country for their business? Why then should that of those rearing cattle be different? South Africa and other countries that have cattle more than we do don’t allow cattle roam. In fact, allowing cattle roam deprives them of needed nutrients hence they don’t produce bountiful quantity of milk.
“Our position is to support controlled ranching, under which we will provide land and other facilities for good cattle business as well as breeding. Those wishing to rear cattle will use the facilities at moderate cost and they only move their cattle from the ranch to the abattoir or slaughter slabs.
“The governor is the chief security officer of the State yet he has no hold of the police. That is another problem we have with our type of federalism. Nigeria needs true federalism. We will keep talking about it until it materialises. It was true federalism practised in the days of Obafemi Awolowo that brought about a lot of development in the country,” Ajimobi said.
He, however, said it was gladdening to note that the state was among the committee of the federal government to examine ways of ending herdsmen/farmers’ clashes.
Speaking in the same vein, Oba Adeyemi argued that the constitution endowed states with control over land and power to give and determine what its land should be used for. He said the traditional rulers in the state were in support of making land available for ranching and not cattle colony.
“We appreciate the governor for his forthrightness on standing for the right of the downtrodden, especially the people of his state. The federal government does not own land, it belongs to the state. So, if truly we are practising federalism, federal government should not be collecting Value Added Tax on businesses in Ibadan, while the state struggles to provide facilities for the same businesses.
“Our own people are not cattle rustlers. We vehemently say now that we stand against cattle colony. We support our governor on its stand on ranching and against colony,” Oba Adeyemi said.
Oba Adeyemi was accompanied on the visit by the Iba of Kishi, Oba Aweda Lawal; Sabiganna of Iganna, Oba Saliu Oyemonlaa, Ona-Onibode, Oba Rasheed Anikulapo; and Olokaka of Okaka, Oba Abdulazeez Olatunji.
The Federal Government has agreed to offer additional N20.5 billion for the completion of the Bonny-Bodo road project in December.
The government, however, said if the construction company, Julius Berger, was not ready to accept the offer, the contract will be terminated.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, said this during a meeting with the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Lars Ritcher and members of Bodo-Bonny Road Peace Committee, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The reports that Julius Berger had requested asking for a N28 billion variation on the 82 per cent completed project.
The company hinged its request on the rise in exchange rate, construction materials, and diesel among others.
Umahi, however, said the government was willing to provide N20 billion out of the N28 billion that Julius Berger requested for.
According to him, the Bonny-Bodo road contract which was initially awarded at the cost of N120 billion in 2015, was later varied at N199 billion with a completion dateline of December 2023, which has since elapsed.
The Tide’s source recalls that in 2017, an agreement between the Federal Government, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and Julus Berger on modalities for funding the project cost of N199.923 billion, without any further increase.
“If you do not accept the Federal Government’s offer by Friday and resume work on the site, the previously expired 14-day ultimatum for termination of project will be enforced.
“I want to let you know that we are the client. No contractor will dictate for this ministry, and there is no job that is compulsory that a particular contractor must do.
“We give you an offer. If you do not like the offer, you walk away. You don’t force us or we don’t force you.
“Agreement of contractual relationship is a mutual understanding,’’ the minister said.
Umahi said that had Julius Berger adhered to the project timetable, the project would have been completed on schedule before the impact of foreign exchange.
“Our position is very simple, we reject the conditions of Julius Berger totally and we ask Berger to please go back to the site to complete the project based on our offer.
“Our offer is unconditional and we say, accept or reject, so you cannot subject our offer to your conditions ,’’ he added
Umahi said the company should be humble in its dealings and exhibit solidarity during challenges.
Earlier, Richter had explained that the company suspended work on the site to seek some clarifications from the ministry.
According to him, the company asked for the augmemtation of N28 bilion because as at the time the contract was awarded the exchange rate was N305 to a dollar and diesel was N350 eor litre.
“We will still require some outstanding materials; that means that the initial agreement can’t fly because the variation of project is not sufficient and the exchange rate is also not in our favour to compensate the additional costs.
“That is why we decided to go back to our original proposal of the augmentation. Augmentation is a very normal process for all contracts,” the managing director said.
Chief Abel Attoni, Palace Secretary, Bonny Kingdom, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the decision to complete the Bodo-Bonny road project.
Attonu urged the parties to be patriotic and make the necessary sacrifice for the actualisation of the project.
The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, set aside the warrant of arrest against Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rivers State, and five others.
Justice Emeka Nwite stated this while delivering his ruling in an application seeking to vacate the warrant of arrest which he issued on January 31, 2024.
The Judge said he was misled by the police in ordering the arrest of Ehie in connection with the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly on October 30, 2023.
The Police, had told the court that Ehie and five others masterminded the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly amid a plot to impeach Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The five others are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri, and Chibuike Peter, alias Rambo.
Justice Emeka Nwite while setting aside the warrant said it has now become a mere academic exercise.
The judge further granted same to the 2nd to 5th Defendant/Applicant in same suit.
Femi Falana, SAN, and Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, who appeared for the defendants in separate suits, held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to have granted the order.
While Falana filed a motion seeking an order to set aside the January 31 order by Justice Nwite, Aladedoye applied for a stay of execution of the arrest order.
In a motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2024 dated February 2 and filed on February 7 by Falana, Ehie sought two orders, including “an order setting aside the order made on January 31 for want of jurisdiction.
“An order of this honourable court staying the execution of the order made on the 31st January 2024, pending the hearing and determination of this application.”
Giving six grounds of argument, Falana argued that the complainant had not filed any criminal charge or motion before the court.
The senior lawyer argued that the court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the ex-parte application as the alleged offences of conspiracy, attempted murder, murder and arson took place in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
“He submitted that the court lacked the vires to grant an application to arrest and declare his clients wanted in respect of the alleged offences.
“The complainant/respondent (IG) did not adduce evidence of terrorism in the affidavit in support of the application.
“The complainant/respondent did not cite any section of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013 (as amended) alleged to have been contravened by the applicants,” he argued.
Aladedoye in a motion on notice dated and filed February 9, on behalf of the five defendants, sought two orders, including
“an order staying execution or further execution of the order(s) of this honourable court made on the 31st of January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.
“An order of injunction restraining the complainant from carrying out or further carrying out the orders of this honourable court made on the 31st January 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicant in this case.”
Giving a three-ground argument, Aladedoye said that a notice of appeal had already been filed against Justice Nwite’s orders.
According to the senior lawyer, the notice of appeal contains grounds that challenge the jurisdiction of the honourable court.
The Inspector-General had, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, arraigned the defendants on a seven-count criminal charge bordering on terrorism and murder.
The authorities of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rumuolumeni, in Rivers State, have stated that 13 students will be graduating with first class while 182 graduands will bag Ph.D during the 42nd convocation ceremony of the university billed to hold today and tomorrow.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, disclosed this during pre-convocation press briefing held in his office, yesterday, to unveil the programme for the convocation ceremony.
Onuchuku said that the 13 students were among the 4,653 graduands expected to graduate for the 2022/2023 academic session with first degree, while 897 students will be graduating with postgraduate degrees.
The Acting Vice Chancellor while giving the breakdown stated that 13 students made first class, 890 students bagged second class upper while 2,739 students had second class lower for first degree.
He further stated that 182 graduands bagged PhD, 667 got master’s degree and 48 got postgraduate diploma, adding that the convocation ceremony will hold today and tomorrow for first degree graduands and postgraduate graduands respectively.
He said that a total of 47 programmes out of the 54 programmes being undertaken at the first degree levels had been given full accreditation by the National University Commission (NUC) as well as all the programmes at the postgraduate school.
“We have ensured that our programmes both at the first degree and post graduates are in line with the NUC stipulated guidelines and speculations. We have also ensured that we are in line with both our academic and administrative policies,” he said.
Prof. Okechukwu urged the graduating students of the institution to always remember to use thier positions to help their alma mater as well as project the institution in a good image in the larger society.
“Try to ensure you finish any project you want to do, evaluate it first and avoid unfinished or abandoned projects. We will be graduating first degree graduands on Friday while Saturday will be for postgraduates, “he added.
Prof. Onuchukwu also said his administration had achieved a lot since he assumed office as Acting Vice Chancellor, stressing that his administration had improved on the welfare of the staff and the students.
“There are a lot of projects completed in the school; we have also given scholarship to some students and also encouraged departments to do same. We also impacted positively on our host communities”, he said.
Akujobi Amadi
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