The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, June 20, grilled the immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

It was gathered that Ortom was grilled by the EFCC at its zonal office in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, over his eight-year regime in the state.

Ortom’s successor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, had said the former governor handed over a debt profile of N187.7 billion to his administration.

Ortom also disclosed that the total income of Benue State during his administration was N734.9 billion as of April 2023, adding that the total debt incurred by the state within the period stood at N187.7 billion inclusive of unpaid salary, pension arrears, loans and bonds, among others.

The former governor had earlier declared he was not afraid of the EFCC after leaving office on May 29, 2023.

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Ortom, while speaking at the valedictory session for members of the Benue State Executive Council and other top government officials at the Government House in Makurdi on May 26, stressed that he was willing to submit himself to the EFCC if summoned, saying he has nothing to hide.

He equally enjoined his appointees to be prepared to face the anti-graft agency if invited for questioning.

The ex-governor said: “Anytime you are invited by EFCC, don’t be afraid to go. As for me, I am not a coward to run away from EFCC.

“If they come for me, I will follow them. I don’t have any investment in Europe all I have are in this state.

“If anyone accuses me of committing any crime let the person come and show me how it happened because I have nothing to fear and I have no skeleton in my cupboard.”

The Star