EFCC releases Ortom after questioning him for hours

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released Samuel Ortom, former governor of Benue state, after questioning him for several hours.

The former governor, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was grilled by officials of the anti-graft agency over alleged misappropriation of public funds during his tenure as governor.

Reacting to the development, 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 rancour 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.

In another development, 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.