JUST IN: Former Benue State Gov, Ortom In EFCC Custody

ormer Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, Currently in EFCC Custody

The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, is presently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Our correspondent has learned that the ex-Governor was invited by the anti-graft body for questioning regarding his tenure.

Accompanying him during this process were his media aide, Terver Akase, and Principal Special Assistant on Special Duties, Abraham Kwanhgu. As of the time of filing this report at 11:25 am, Ortom had not left the EFCC premises.

Earlier, Daily Trust had reported on Ortom’s handover of a debt profile amounting to N187.7 billion to the administration of Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia. In a ceremony held at the old banquet hall of the Government House in Makurdi, Ortom presented three volumes of handover notes summarizing his eight years in office.

The former governor revealed that the state’s total income during his tenure reached N734.9 billion as of April 2023, while the accumulated debt stood at N187.7 billion, including unpaid salaries, pension arrears, loans, and bonds, among other obligations.

Ortom also informed his successor about a debt swap/reduction arrangement between the state and the Federal Government, amounting to N97.716 billion. He explained that with an expected inflow of N48 billion, the negotiated debt swap would reduce to N45.2 billion, effectively reducing the state’s overall debt profile.

Additionally, Ortom disclosed that his administration had already obtained approval for a N41 billion loan and a N20 billion.