Immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
An aide of the former governor said that his principal was released around 7:30p.m, on Tuesday night, after several hours of ‘intense’ interrogation at the zonal office of the EFCC in Makurdi, the state capital.
The former governor, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was grilled by officials of the anti-graft agency over alleged misappropriation of public funds during his tenure as governor.
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Reacting to the quizzing, the Benue State chapter of the PDP said while, Ortom was not the first former governor to be grilled by the anti-graft agency, his case is “remarkably distinct for the lack of rancour and acrimony which usually attends such appearances.
“The Party is satisfied that ex-governor Ortom’s conduct is a clear reflection of his having no skeletons in his cupboard,” Benue PDP spokesperson said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Benue State House of Assembly has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the income and expenditures of the 23 local councils of the state.
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The committee was constituted by Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, following a request by Ortom’s successor, Hyacinth Alia.
“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,” Governor Alia’s letter to the Assembly read.
