The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benue state

  • Ortom vs Oshiomhole: Court fixes July 11 for ruling

    A Makurdi High Court presided over by Justice Augustine Ityoyiman has fixed July 11 to rule on an application brought before it by counsel to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, in the libel suit filed against the party chairman by Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.

    When the matter came up on Friday, counsel to the governor, Mr Samuel Irabor, who was in court with two witnesses, said he was ready to go on.

    But he explained that he was served with a motion on notice on Thursday by counsel to the APC National Chairman which he has responded to.

    Oshiomhole’s lawyer Festus Jumbo told the court that his client was praying the court to strike out the suit for failure to join the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Vanguard Media Limited, publishers of the Vanguard, and other print and social media platforms.

    But Irabor told the court that the matter could be decided among the governor, Oshiomhole and APC without joining the NTA, Vanguard Media Limited and social media platforms.

    He said Oshiomhole had owned up to the allegation and said he sourced his information from third parties, which included leaders of Benue State APC and a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    The names of the APC leaders were not stated.

    The lawyer contended that Oshiomhole had pleaded justification and fair comment, adding that there was no need to bring the NTA and Vanguard Media Limited into the matter.

    ing Judge, Justice Ityonyiman fixed July 11, 2019 for ruling on whether the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA and Vanguard Media Ltd should be joined in the suit, award cost and continuation of the substantive case.

  • Ortom v Jime: Tribunal reserves judgment

    The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, has reserved ruling on the Preliminary Objection Raised by counsel to Governor Samuel Ortom   of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP’)   Samuel Ortom, praying the tribunal to strike out the petition of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) governorship candidate, Emmanuel Jime.

    Jime is challenging the return of Ortom as governor of Benue State at the tribunal.

    PDP and INEC are joined as second and third respondents in the petition.

    Read Also:  Osun Tribunal Reserves Judgment

    At the resumption of pre-hearing trial over the weekend,  Ortom, who was represented by Edward Ashiekaa SAN, urged the tribunal to strike out certain paragraphs of Jime’s application on the ground that they are offensive.

    Ashiekaa stressed that entertaining the petition would amount to waste of time.

    He urged the tribunal to strike out same.

    INEC and PDP did not oppose the application. INEC, PDP were represented at the tribunal by E.O.B Offiong SAN and Chris Uche SAN.

    However, Jime’s lead counsel, Sunday Ibrahim Ameh, who opposed the preliminary objection, also filed   a 19-paragraph counter affidavit.

  • Alleged N47m fraud: Court remands three JAMB officials in EFCC custody

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has ordered that three officials of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged complicity in the theft of their employer’s funds estimated at N47.18 million.

    The officials are the State Coordinator, JAMB Zonal Office, Plateau State, Yakubu Jekada; the State Coordinator of JAMB office, Benue State, Samuel Sale Umoru and a clerical officer in the Benue State office in Makurdi, Mrs. Philomina Chieshe.

    Justice Peter Afen gave the order for the defendants’ remand shortly after they were arraigned on two separate charges of eight and four counts filed by the EFCC.

    They pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

    Jekada was arraigned on a four-count charge in which he was accused of misappropriating N11, 189,000.00, while Umoru and Chieshe were arraigned on an eight-count charge in which they were accused of misappropriating N36 million, which Mrs. Chieshe was said to have claimed was swallowed by a snake.

    Justice Afen adjourned to Monday for argument of the defendants’ bail application and the hearing of another charge also filed by the EFCC.

    The charge against Yakubu, marked: CR/339/19, reads:

    *That you Yakubu Jekada between 2009 and 2016 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court while being the State Coordinator of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) zonal office, Plateau State and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit; 11,189 units of e-facility cards of JAMB committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said properties when you disposed of the cards without duly rendering accounts of the disposals to JAMB and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Law.

    *That you Yakubu Jekada between 2009 and 2016 in Abuja and Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this court while being the State Coordinator of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) zonal Office, Plateau State, dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N11, 189,000.00 belonging to JAMB, an agency of the federal government of Nigeria and you hereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 309 of the same law.

    Read Also: BREAKING: JAMB releases 4,536 withheld UTME results

    *That you, Yakubu Jekada between 2009 and 2016 in Abuja and Plateau State within the jurisdiction of this court while being the State Coordinator of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)zonal Office, Lokoja in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit; N11,189,000 million, being proceeds realised from the sales of e- facility cards belonging to JAMB, committed criminal breach of trust by dishonestly using the said funds, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Law.

    *That you Yakubu Jekada, between 2009 and 2016 in Abuja and Plateau State within the jurisdiction of this court while being the State Coordinator of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)zonal Office, Plateau State used your position to confer unfair advantage to yourself by converting to your own use the sum of N11,189,000.00 being proceeds from the sale of e-facility cards of JAMB and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other related offences Act.2000.

    In the charge against Umoru and Mrs. Chieshe, the lady was said to have, under further interrogations in June 2016, claimed that a total sum of N36.5m, being value of the shortfall of unremitted e-JAMB cards, “disappeared as a result of manipulation from the Kingdom of Darkness.”

    The EFCC said Mrs. Chieshe “offered such unbelievable explanation, knowing same to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 139(a) of the Penal Code Law.”

    The two defendants were said to have in 2015, offered N48,500 bribe to an auditor, Mr. Ibrahim Oba, who was sent to Benue from Abuja office of the organisation to vet the accounts.

    They were said to have committed criminal breach of trust with respect to 410 units of Change of Course Cards of JAMB, as well as failed to remit proceeds from the sales of e-facility cards belonging to the examination body.

    The defendants allegedly committed the fraud that was blamed on ‘the mysterious snake’, between August 2014 and July 2016. The prosecution maintained that their action was contrary to sections 97(2), 308, 315 and 139 of the Penal Code Law, likewise section 17(1) (c) of the of the Corrupt Practices and other related offences Act, 2000.

     

  • Dogara’s loyalists demand juicy committees

    Following demands from loyalists of the outgoing House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila is weighing options.

    Gbajabiamila has the choice of either bowing to the demands or going it alone in his bid to become the Speaker of the ninth House of Representatives.

    The ranking loyalists and associates of Dogara are demanding retention of the chairmanship of critical committees to back Gbajabiamila.

    Having met a brick wall in the attempts to whittle down the acceptance of Gbajabiamila, the Dogara loyalists, who are mainly in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and few All Progressives Congress (APC) members, have their eyes on the Deputy Speaker seat.

    They have also demanded that the office of the Deputy Speaker should be conceded to the group in favour of John Dygeh, from Benue State, against Gbajabiamila’s adopted Deputy, Ahmed Idris Wase.

    In the alternative, Dogara loyalists are considering Umar Bago for Speaker and Nkiruka Onyejeocha as Deputy Speaker.

    But new members of the House, who are in the majority, have prevailed on Gbajabiamila to treat all members equally without concession to any group.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that despite having audience twice with Dogara for his blessing, Gbajabiamila is facing fresh hurdles from the loyalists of the outgoing Speaker.

    It was learnt that Gbajabiamila’s supporters felt the demands of Dogara’s loyalists were at variance with the power-sharing formula of the ruling APC. They argued that key committees that will drive the economy cannot be left in the hands of the opposition in the manner Dogara did.

    It was unclear if Gbajabiamila will stick to the APC template or make concessions.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “With his campaign so far, Gbajabiamila has remained broad-minded by reaching out to all caucuses and groups in the House.

    “The only challenge at hand is on the demands of pro-Dogara returning lawmakers for the retention of the chairmanship of critical committees in order to support Gbajabiamila.

    Read Also: Nigeria must win war against violence, says Dogara

    “These committees include Finance, Appropriations, Power, Foreign Affairs, Petroleum (Upstream, Downstream and Gas), FCT, Health, ICT, NDDC and Aviation, among others.

    “They actually wanted a commitment from Gbajabiamila’s camp, which is difficult because it will amount to intimidation or coercion. The supporters of Gbajabiamila are asking Dogara’s loyalists to build trust in Gbajabiamila and his ability to be fair to all.

    “The new members-elect have prevailed on Gbajabiamila to ensure equal stake for all.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “In deference, Gbajabiamila has met Dogara twice to seek his support. The Speaker has no doubt promised to back Gbajabiamila but his actions and those of his loyalists contradict such earlier commitment.

    “I can tell you that Gbajabiamila, his supporters and APC are weighing options. Gbajabiamila’s loyalists are resisting any template that will make them drop Ahmed Idris Wase as Deputy.

    “Gbajabiamila is comfortable working with Wase than any other deputy speakership candidate propped up by Dogara loyalists and anti-party elements in APC.”

    As at press time, the concerned loyalists of Dogara were said to be working on a “Plan B” to team up with Umar Bago as Speaker with Nkieruka Onyejeocha as Deputy Speaker.

    “They want to alter the APC power equation, which the ruling party might not accept. The last strategy is to launch a massive campaign of calumny against Gbajabiamila during the last week to the election of principal officers.

    “This blackmail has started with a sponsored suit to restrain Gbajabiamila from contesting for the office of Speaker.

    “Same strategy was used in 2015 speaker ship race in which the court eventually cleared Gbajabiamila of no criminal conviction.”

  • Monarch proffers solution to farmers/herdsmen clash

    The paramount ruler of the Tiv, Prof. James Ayatsehas has called for the integration of crop and livestock farming to checkmate the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the country.

    He also wants government and stakeholders to evolve a formula for lasting peaceful coexistence between the two in the crisis affected areas.

    The traditional ruler, who is also Chairman of the Benue State Council of Chief stold  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the best way to curb these clashes was to evolve ways that crop and livestock farming could exist side by side.

    He  spoke  on the sideline of Engaging Communities for Peace in Nigeria (ECPN) project anchored by U.S. Agency for International Development and Mercy Corps, an International NGO.

    ECPN has since 2015 worked to reduce violence in the Middle Belt by addressing farmer-pastoralist conflicts in Benue and Nasarawa States.

    The traditional said that times had changed since the herders and farmers knew each other and never experienced crises between the communities.

    “If we don’t change our ways, these problems will continue to hurt us, and it is the poor and downtrodden who suffer most.

    Read Also: 18 farmers killed by bandits in Katsina

    “If you engage in fighting, even if you win, you lose something,” he said.

    The traditional ruler, who decried the wave of attacks allegedly by armed herders, said that the attack was a threat to peaceful coexistence of the herders and farmers.

    “The new wave of armed attack in last eight years is a new development. It’s hugely about herdsmen that were armed and sometimes they don’t even have cattle, but attack the people.

    “So, I believe that they are not the regular herdsmen that lived among us.

    “Normally in the past the herdsmen that lived among us if their herds strayed into the farms and destroyed, immediately we met and settled,” he said.

    He said things had change with the new herders that would even break stores and barns to feed their cattle with.

    “The truth is that livestock and crops cannot work together, you have to separate them because once you allow the herds to wander to an open grazing definitely they will consume the planted crops.

    “This is because the planted crops are better prepared than the ordinary grass, so they ordinarily go for it.

    “So I think the best way to do is to see how the crop farming and livestock farming can be done alongside without one destroying the other. That is the only formula to peaceful living and coexistence,” he said.

     

     

  • Ortom to BMO: stop using my name to seek for jobs

    The Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom on Monday accused the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) of using his name to seek political jobs from the president.

    The governor who said this is the season for political jobbers to jostle for appointments from the Presidency, added that and one of the ways to curry favour is to launch attacks on him so they will be seen as ‘hardworking and deserving’ of appointments.

    A statement by Tahav Agerzua, Special Adviser, Media and ICT to the governor faulted the BMO for accusing governor Ortom of fueling crisis in Benue State and blaming it on armed Fulani herdsmen.

    The statement read further, “the group also alleged that Governor Ortom celebrated the murder of 73 Benue indigenes in January 2018 with what it called ‘a parade of coffins and a jamboree burial’ to blame Fulani pastoralists. BMO also accused Governor Ortom of arming, shielding and using the wanted Terwase Akwaza, alias Gana, as well as Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku to massacre Benue people.

    “Contrary to the claims of BMO, Fulani pastoralists under different names such as Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders Association, as well as Fulani Nationality Movement, FUNAM have all confirmed that indeed the Benue attacks were carried out by their members who claimed that their livestock were rustled.”

    It added, “For instance, National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Abdullahi Bodejo and Secretary General, Saleh Alhassan addressed a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday 30th May, 2017 and stated that the crisis in Benue State was a struggle for the natural resources of the Benue Valley.

    Read Also: Saraki, Ortom, others jubilant as Mark exits Senate

    “These groups came out boldly to declare fierce resistance to the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 and threatened to mobilize other pastoralists from all parts of West Africa to invade Benue and stop implementation of the Ranching Law.

    “They followed their threats with attacks beginning on 1st January 2018 and the larger part of that year until the Federal Government, acting on repeated calls from the Government and people of Benue State, deployed the military to commence Operation Whirl Stroke to chase the armed herders out of the state.

    “The Fulani National Movement, FUNAM, in one of its statements, also declared that the people of Benue State deserved to be killed by the herdsmen.

    “In their bending over backwards to impress their sponsors, the BMO erroneously stated that Terwase Akwaza was Governor Ortom’s aide. Mr. Akwaza, also known as Gana had at no time been appointed as an aide to the Governor. He was a key beneficiary of the amnesty programme initiated by the Ortom administration. However, the very moment he reneged and was accused of having a hand in the killing of the Governor’s former security aide, Denen Igbana, the police declared him wanted and the State Government immediately placed a reward of N20 million for anyone with information that could lead to his arrest. The reward still stands.

    “The group equally needs to be reminded that Governor Ortom had discussed the state’s amnesty programme with President Muhammadu Buhari before it was granted. When Gana went back to his old ways, Governor Ortom did not shield him; rather the State Security Council of which he is chairman authorized several expeditions to his hideout in order to arrest him.

    “On the allegation that Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku was used in the murder of two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners in Mbalom, again, the Buhari Media group has only displayed gross ignorance of the facts on ground. It should be recalled that Alhaji Tershaku was arrested after the Mbalom incident and released without any trial in court. No charge was preferred against him and till this day, no reason has been made public by security agencies regarding his arrest and subsequent release.”

     

  • Food dealers petition Minister, IGP over extortion

    Food stuff dealers in Anambra State have raised alarm over alleged extortion from their members nationwide by workers attached to Federal Quarantine Service Post at Orokam, Makurdi and Katsina Ala, Benue state.

    The group, under the agies of Federated Food Stuff Dealers Association of Nigeria (FFSDAN), with headquarters in Onitsha, called on Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe to urgency address the issue to forestall crises.

    The petition addressed to Ogbe and copied to the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police in Benue State and others, was jointly signed by the group’s President General, Chief Christian Afiiaonwu, Secretary, Udoka Abukanna, Operational Officer, Sabastine Ageebee and Public Relation Officer, Adamu Alidu.

    It condemned the Quarantine Post at Orokam, describing it as ATM to the workers through which it daily extorted money ranging from N3, 000 to N7,000 from their members since June 2018.

    According to FFSDAN, Orokam Quarantine Post ought not to exist in the first place as there should not be three Quarantine Posts in one state.

    The Petition read in part, “For your information sir, there are three Quarantine Posts in Benue State located at Makurdi, Katsina-Ala and Orokam.

    “These Posts came into operation in June 2018 and have in recent time been turned into ATM at which money ranging from N3, 000 to N7,000 are extorted from our members on daily basis.

    “These extortions are usually carried out with intimidation under the watchful eyes of security agencies mostly Police officers.

    “The Association noted that its members are aware of the importance of Quarantine Posts which is primarily to checkmate the spread of animal diseases and unwholesome food stuff moving from one location to another and not to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public.

    Read Also: Minister commissions upgraded Ibadan airport

    “We also know that Quarantine Posts are usually located at border areas between countries.

    “We therefore wonder why the Quarantine Service Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is keeping quiet and apparently feeling comfortable seeing that people are extorting money from Food Stuff Dealers in three Federal Quarantine Posts located in one State.”

    Describing as fraudulent and unacceptable the interception of their members at Orokam after being forced to pay at Makurdi and Katsina Ala Posts, the group appealed to the Minister to wade into the matter to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

    “Vehicle conveying our goods have had several accident cases owing to strong barriers mounted before them by the Quarantine Posts workers in a bid to force them to stop.

    “This is pure act of corruption which our members have vowed to resist henceforth if nothing is done to address the issue,” the group stressed.

     

  • Tribunal to begin pre-trial of Benue governorship dispute May 28

    The Governorship, National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Benue State has fixed May 28 to commence pre-trial on the only governorship petition before it.

    Tribunal secretary Deborah Musa, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Makurdi,  said that all court processes had been completed and that the pre-trial was set to begin.

    NAN reports that Mr Emmanuel Jime of the All Progressive Congress (APC), is challenging the re-election of Gov Samuel Ortom of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in the March 2, 2019 polls.

    Read Also: Mob kills notorious criminal in Benue

    In the petition filed by Mr Sunday Ameh (SAN), Jime is asking the tribunal to upturn Ortom’s victory and declare him winner having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast.

    Mr Michael Gusa, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Benue, has however said that the governor was sure of victory at the tribunal.

    “We are very hopeful of victory. The governor’s team of lawyers has raised a preliminary objection asking the court to dismiss the petition for lack of merit,” Gusa had told NAN while filing Ortom’s defense.

    NAN reports that Ortom had polled 434,473 votes to defeat Jime, who garnered 345,155 votes .

    NAN

  • Mob kills notorious criminal in Benue

    Youths in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State  have lynched an alleged  notorious criminal known as One Man Squad, said to have been  terrorizing Gboko community.

    Spokesman of Benue Police Command, DSP.  Catherine Anene, told  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by phone on Saturday that the suspect was killed on Friday evening in Gboko.

    But she said the police were yet to properly identify the corpse, his real name or place of origin.

    Read Also: Mark seeks end to hostility in Benue

    One Man Squad, who usually operated alone, had allegedly committed a lot of atrocities in the community and his death according to residents, will bring a big sigh of relief to them.

    An eye witness of the mob action who preferred anonymity, told NAN that One Man Squad was “carrying out his usual armed robbery operation in Gboko town and upon sighting SARS, took to  his heels but luck ran out on  him as the youths went after him and killed him.”

    “He was called One Man Squad because he operated alone. He had caused so much damage and pain to so many Gboko people. His death is a big sigh of relief to all of us,” the eye witness said.

     

  • Mark seeks end to hostility in Benue

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, Tuesday called for an end to the all forms of hostilities between warring communities in Benue state.

    Senator Mark is worried about the casualties arising from the unabating hostilities in parts of Benue state between communities as well as farmers/ herdsmen conflicts.

    A statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh noted that while addressing traditional rulers and politicians separately at Agatu and Apa local government areas during his thank you tour to his constituents after 20 years in the Senate on Tuesday, Senator Mark said there is need to live in harmony with one another.

    Senator Mark urged the warring communities to embrace dialogue and seek channels of mediation rather than resort to self- help to resolve conflicts saying that only a peaceful environment guarantees development.

    It said that an emotion laden Senator Mark said “for 20 years in the Senate, you have consistently voted for me unconditionally. I may have in the course of duties made some mistakes or offended some people, If I offended you please forgive me. If anyone willfully or otherwise offended me, I have forgiven.”

    It said that Mark thanked his people for ceaseless support over the years just as he asked them to extend the same hands of fellowship to his successor, Comrade Abba Moro.

    Read Also: INEC gets pass mark over conduct of 2019 polls

    In or out of public office, Senator Mark stressed that he will continue to champion the course of development in the State.

    Benue South Senator-Elect, Moro said Senator Mark has laid a solid foundation for him to build on.

    State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Sir, John Ngbede thanked the people for their unalloyed support for the party since 1999, promising that they would continue to reap the dividends of democracy.

    In his remarks, the paramount ruler of Agatu His Royal Highness Godwin Onah praised Senator Mark for bringing Idoma nation to the limelight saying that “Mark is a silent achiever”.