EFCC releases ex-governor Ortom after 9-hour grilling

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, after grilling him for over 9 hours at its zonal office in Makurdi, the state capital.

The Star had reported that Ortom was grilled by the EFCC at its zonal office over allegations relating to the former governor’s eight-year regime in the state.

The former governor, who was seen driving into the EFCC’s office at about 10 a.m., left the office of the anti-graft agency in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at about 7:55 p.m. on Tuesday.

He was accompanied by some friends and associates who had waited at a nearby hotel for his release.

Speaking on the development, Ortom’s media aide, Terver Akase, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said his principal was not arrested by the EFCC.

Akase said: “Contrary to insinuations in some sections of the media, the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, today (Tuesday) visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour the invitation of the commission.

READ ALSO: Ortom: I’m not afraid of EFCC

“Chief Ortom was neither arrested nor detained at the EFCC Zonal Headquarters in Makurdi. The former Governor has repeatedly said that he is available to respond to inquiries by anti-graft agencies as he has nothing to hide regarding his stewardship of Benue 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.

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