Samuel Ortom, a former governor of Benue State, has been freed from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) custody.
It was gathered that the former governor was freed at roughly 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night following several hours of “intense” questioning at the EFCC’s zonal headquarters in Makurdi, the state capital.
It was previously reported that Ortom, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, was questioned by agents of the anti-graft organization for alleged theft of public funds while serving as governor.
Reacting to the quizzing, the PDP in Benue said while Ortom is not the first former governor to be grilled by EFCC, his case is “remarkably distinct for the lack of rancor 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 LGAs of the state.
The committee was constituted by Aondona Dajoh, speaker of the assembly, following a request by Hyacinth Alia, governor of the state.
“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,” Alia’s letter to the House of Assembly reads.
