The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom after grilling him for over nine hours in their Makurdi zonal office.
The ex-governor arrived at the EFCC office around 10 a.m and was released at 7:57 p.m yesterday.
Ortom is being questioned for alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as the Governor of Benue State.
Many of the ex-governor’s former aides, including Abraham Kwaghngu and Terver Akase, were on standby and accompanied him to his Makurdi home at Judges’ Quarters.
In a related development, the Benue State House of Assembly has set up a three-man ad hoc committee to investigate the income and expenditures of the 23 local government areas of the state.
The committee is headed by the member representing Katsina Ala West State Constituency, Peter Ipusu, while Manger Manger of Tarka State Constituency and Cyril Ekong of Oju II Constituency are members.
House of Assembly Speaker Aondona Dajoh announced the setting up of the committee after he read a communication from the governor, dated June 20 and titled: Forwarding of Report of the 23 Local Government Chairmen of Benue from February to April 2023.
The letter reads: Following the receipt of the report of income and expenditures of the chairmen of the 23 local government councils themselves on June 14, 2023, I hereby forward the above report to you for investigation and necessary recommendations, please.”
Paul Biam, who is the Chief of Staff to the governor, signed the letter on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The House of Assembly directed the ad hoc committee to report back to the House within the shortest time possible.
According to The Nation, the council chairmen may be sacked next week after the submission of the ad hoc committee’s report.
