Benue Gov. investigates predecessor Ortom over contract awards, income, expenditure
Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has commenced an investigation into the administration of his predecessor, former governor Samuel Ortom, regarding government assets under his care from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023.
As part of the probe, the governor has constituted two commissions of inquiries on income and expenditure, including contract awards, bailout funds and Paris Club refunds within the same period.
During the inauguration of both commissions at the old banquet hall of the Benue State Government House, Governor Alia tasked the commission of inquiry on the sales and lease of government assets to investigate all agreements or sales that shortchanged the government and make appropriate recommendations on the way forward.
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He insisted that his administration had no other motive behind the probe but “the need to ensure Benue State gets the benefit of all that accrued to it during the last administration”.
Chaired by retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo and Justice Paul Appolos, the commission of inquiry was also tasked with investigating the income and expenditure under the eight-year tenure of the Ortom administration.
Speaking after the inauguration, Justice Taiwo Taiwo who heads the Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry, said his team would work in the interest of the state in the discharge of its mandate.
Upon assumption of office on May 30, 2023, Governor Alia constituted an asset recovery committee to recover alleged stolen vehicles and properties from the past administration.
In line with its duties, the committee stormed an auto-mechanic workshop allegedly operated by owners of a London line motor and took over thirty vehicles attached to the government house.
