Governor backs EFCC probe of Benue lawmakers over N750m car scam

dimeji akinloye

July 1, 2016 5:58 AM

He said his administration will not defend anyone fingered in fraud related cases.

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for probing the Speaker and other members of the state House of Assembly over alleged misappropriation of N750 million car purchase.

Pulse recalls that the EFCC operatives on Monday, June 27, arrested the Assembly Speaker, Terkinbi Ikange; his deputy, James Ikefe; the Majority Leader, Benjamin Adanyi; Deputy Majority Leader, Nick Eworo; the Minority Leader, Sule Audu and 10 other lawmakers.

They were however released on bail on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the anti-graft agency has summoned another seven members of the House, who are expected to appear before its panel of investigators on Friday, July 1.

Ortoms, who spoke to State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, said there would be no sacred cows in the ongoing anti-corruption war.

He also vowed to recover N107 billion looted from the state treasury by the Gabriel Suswam administration.

“Yes it is a good thing, it is part of the process. They are under investigation by the EFCC. From day one I brought up a slogan that ‘if you chop money, money will chop you," he said.

“We have to be careful and I have sent signals to all that nobody is above the law. If you do wrong, you will go your own way. As far as I’m concerned, they are under investigation. Let’s see the outcome we would have. As far as I’m concerned, my government will not shield anybody who is corrupt and who is found wanting. From myself as governor and every other lieutenant, we are opened to scrutiny.”

According to him, an indicted person has agreed to return N355 million to the state government.

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“The justice Kpojume commission came out with a report that N107 billion should be retrieved from 52 persons including the former governor and I am leaving no stones unturned to ensure that we recover this money because we need it for the development of Benue state.

“Already someone who was indicted has already offered to refund N355 million which we gave the approval in council on Wednesday."

Ortom said his government is not interested on prosecution as long as anyone who has stolen money returns the complete loot.

dimeji akinloye