Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has dismissed the report of the Benue State Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry, insisting that the exercise was a politically inspired witch-hunt initiated by the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
In a statement released on Saturday through his media aide, Zege Terhide, Ortom described the commission’s findings as “fundamentally flawed, legally challenged and politically motivated.”
“What the people of Benue witnessed was not an exercise in accountability. It was the culmination of a carefully scripted political witch-hunt designed from the outset to indict the government of Chief Samuel Ortom at all costs,” the statement read.
The former governor’s response followed the submission of the commission’s report to the Benue State Government in Makurdi on Friday.
The eight-member committee, headed by retired Justice Jubril Idrisu, was constituted by Governor Alia in June 2025 to examine the income and expenditure of the immediate past administration and the 23 local government councils from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023.
While presenting the report on Friday, Justice Idrisu stated that the commission scrutinised financial records and held public hearings involving former government officials and relevant institutions.
According to him, the investigation showed that the state generated more than N826.5 billion within the period under review, while expenditure amounted to about N683.4 billion, leaving an alleged unaccounted balance of approximately N139.8 billion.
Receiving the report on behalf of Governor Alia, Deputy Governor Sam Ode reiterated the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and institutional reforms.
The deputy governor expressed optimism that implementing the panel’s recommendations would reinforce public institutions, curb the misuse of public funds and promote accountability.
Ortom faults probe, cites pending court cases
However, Ortom insisted that the legality of the investigation is still being contested before the courts.
According to his statement, earlier panels established by the Alia administration to probe his government were challenged in court and eventually dissolved before the present commission was inaugurated.
He pointed out that an appeal questioning the legality of the inquiry is pending before the Court of Appeal, with hearing fixed for June 29, 2026. He also disclosed that the Benue State Government had approached the Supreme Court to contest an earlier Appeal Court judgment that nullified the constitution of previous investigative panels.
“It is therefore astonishing that a government which voluntarily submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the courts would, in the same breath, proceed as though those judicial processes do not exist,” the statement said.
Former governor accuses Alia administration of distraction tactics
Ortom further alleged that the Alia administration was deploying the probe as a diversion from pressing governance issues, including insecurity, the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons, industrial disputes in the education sector and concerns over the management of state resources.
“Whenever questions are asked about the over N1.3 trillion that has accrued to Benue state under the present administration, Governor Alia and his appointees quickly blame Ortom.
“Whenever the administration struggles to explain its performance after three years in office, it blames Ortom. Whenever insecurity worsens and communities continue to suffer attacks, the Alia government blames Ortom. Whenever public dissatisfaction grows, it blames Ortom.
“The unfortunate reality is that Governor Alia has become more interested in prosecuting media battles against his predecessor than in addressing the serious challenges confronting Benue state,” the statement read.
The former governor maintained that every financial transaction carried out during his tenure complied with the law and established government procedures, stressing that state accounts underwent annual statutory audits, budgets were consistently presented and approved, while financial records remained in the custody of relevant institutions.
“The former governor has nothing to hide and remains proud of his record in office and committed to the rule of law,” the statement said.
