Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has rejected the report of the Benue State Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry, describing it as a politically motivated witch-hunt orchestrated by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Zege Terhide, Ortom said the commission’s findings were “fundamentally flawed, legally challenged and politically motivated.” The panel, chaired by retired Justice Jubril Idrisu, had reported an unaccounted balance of approximately N139.8 billion from the Ortom administration’s tenure. Ortom argued that the legitimacy of the probe remains the subject of ongoing litigation, with a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal scheduled for hearing on June 29, 2026. He accused the current government of using the inquiry to divert attention from its own governance challenges, including insecurity and industrial disputes.
The former governor maintained that all financial activities under his administration followed due process, with regular audits and approved budgets. He expressed pride in his record and commitment to the rule of law. The development reflects the deepening political rivalry in Benue State ahead of the 2027 elections, with accusations and counter-accusations flying between the Ortom and Alia camps. Such probes have become common tools in Nigerian politics for settling scores, often leading to prolonged legal battles that drain public resources.
