Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State
The Government of Benue State has described the freezing of its
account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as political
witch-hunt.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mike Gusa,
said this when he was contacted on the telephone to confirmed the
freezing of the state accounts but said the state government had gone to
challenge the case in court.
He said, “Yes, it is true that the accounts of the Benue State
Government have been frozen by the EFCC. It is part of the political
witch-hunt against Governor Samuel Ortom. The action of the EFCC is
already having a negative impact on the running of government in Benue
State.
“It is a move that will affect salaries, pensions, and other sundry payments.
“The question we are asking is; why did the EFCC not
investigate the Governor’s security votes when he was still a member of
the APC? Why start the investigation now?
“EFCC should not allow itself to be used as an attack dog unleashed against perceived political opponents.
“Let the Federal Government tell us how much it has spent on
prosecuting the fight against Boko Haram and how much it spent on the
other operations such as Python Dance, Crocodile Smile, and Whirl
Stroke.
“Benue has suffered heavy attacks by Fulani herdsmen since the
beginning of the year. Within the period, the State Government has spent
a lot to legitimately support security agencies to protect the people
of the state. Governor Ortom has not diverted funds. He runs a
transparent administration.
“We welcome the investigation, but as I said earlier, it should
start from the Presidency and go across the 36 states. Benue should not
be singled out for victimization, intimidation, and harassment as the
Federal Government with its agencies are currently doing.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had frozen the
five bank accounts belonging to Benue State Government. It said was
investigating the state governor, permanent secretaries and state
lawmakers over misappropriation of N22 billion.