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Ortom Slams Benue Probe, Alleges Political Witch-hunt

by admin on | 2026-06-20 16:23:11

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Ortom Slams Benue Probe, Alleges Political Witch-hunt

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has reacted to the submission of the report by the Benue State Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry, describing the exercise as politically motivated and an attempt to divert attention from the current administration’s poor performance.

In a statement issued in response to the development, Ortom said that although he had initially intended to ignore what he termed the Alia administration’s continued focus on his predecessor’s government, the circumstances surrounding the report made a response necessary.

According to him, the commission’s work was not a genuine accountability exercise but a predetermined effort aimed at indicting his administration.

The former governor recalled that the Benue State Government had earlier constituted two separate probe panels to investigate his administration, both of which became subjects of legal challenges.

He argued that instead of allowing the courts to resolve the issues, the government dissolved those panels and created another body under a different name.

Ortom further stated that the current commission was also served with legal notices linked to ongoing court proceedings challenging its legitimacy.

He noted that there is a pending matter before the Court of Appeal scheduled for hearing on June 29, 2026, while another related appeal initiated by the Benue State Government remains before the Supreme Court and is concerned with the legality of the investigative panels.

He questioned the government’s decision to proceed with the report despite active judicial processes, describing the move as “disregard for the rule of law and an attempt to secure through public opinion what could not be achieved through legal channels.”

The former governor also accused Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration of using investigations into the previous government as a political strategy to shift attention from governance challenges.

He argued that after three years in office, the present administration should focus on issues such as insecurity, the welfare of internally displaced persons, industrial disputes in the education sector, and public concerns over financial management.

According to Ortom, the government has repeatedly blamed his administration for challenges facing the state rather than providing explanations for its own performance.

Defending his record in office, Ortom maintained that his administration’s financial activities complied with established laws and public service procedures.

He said annual statutory audits were conducted and published, budgets were duly presented and approved, and government financial records were properly maintained.

He insisted he has nothing to hide and expressed confidence that legal processes and factual records would ultimately prevail.

The former governor urged Benue residents to view the commission’s report as a political exercise rather than an objective accountability process and called on the current administration to focus on explaining its own stewardship and use of state resources.