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Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has come under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation that he caused the transfer of N4.29 billion of state funds to unknown recipients.
The investigations follows the filing of three petitions by insiders in Benue State government.
Vanguard quoted a top EFCC source last night as saying that the agency received two petitions against the governor and some top officials of the administration and had already commenced investigation into the matter, even though the governor is covered by immunity while in office.
He said:
“I can confirm to you that the commission has received petitions against Governor Ortom and other dramatis personae over alleged diversion and other financial infractions. We have also commenced investigation into the veracity of the petitions. And I can also tell you that the commission will soon take necessary action on the matter.”
Some of those named in the petitions as arrowheads of the scam are members of the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly. The official said only those not covered by immunity were being interrogated in connection with the cash movement, adding that the outcome of the commission’s probe would soon be made public.
Governor Ortom, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Terver Akase, said the report was not only false but also a demonstration of mischief and ignorance by the authors of the petitions.