Samuel Ortom, the immediate past Governor of Benue State, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency invited the ex-governor for questioning regarding his tenure in office.
At precisely 10:08 am, Ortom drove into the EFCC Makurdi zonal office located on Alor Gordon Street in the state capital. Accompanied by his media aide, Terver Akase, and Principal Special Assistant on Special Duties, Abraham Kwanhgu, Ortom walked directly into the building.
As of the time of filing this report at 11:25 am, Ortom had not left the premises.
Earlier, Daily Trust had reported that Ortom handed over a debt profile of N187.7 billion to Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia’s administration. During a brief ceremony at the old banquet hall of the Government House in Makurdi, Ortom presented three volumes of handover notes summarizing his eight-year administration.
Ortom informed Alia that the state’s total income during his tenure amounted to N734.9 billion as of April 2023. The accumulated debt incurred by the state within that period stood at N187.7 billion, including unpaid salaries, pension arrears, loans, and bonds, among other obligations.
The former governor also mentioned a debt swap/reduction arrangement between the state and the Federal Government amounting to N97.716 billion. With an expected inflow of N48 billion, the negotiated debt swap would be reduced to N45.2 billion, thereby reducing the state’s overall debt profile.
Ortom disclosed that his administration had secured approval for a N41 billion loan and a N20 billion facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), urging Alia’s administration to pursue the release of the funds once sworn in. The reasons behind Ortom’s invitation by the EFCC for questioning have not been specified at this time.
