Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue inaugurated two judicial commissions of inquiry on Tuesday to investigate the administration of former governor Samuel Ortom.
The commissions are the Benue Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry 2024 and the Sale/Lease of Government Assets, Companies, and Markets (both State and LG Markets) Moribund Companies Commission of Inquiry 2024.
Alia said while inaugurating members of the commissions that the inquiry was to promote accountability, transparency, and good governance.
The Income and Expenditure Inquiry Commission is chaired by Rtd. Justice Taiwo with Dr. Abraham Gberindyer as Secretary, while Rtd. Justice Appolos Idi would chair the Assets and Moribund Companies Inquiry Commission with John Edigbo as Secretary.
Alia said the commissions would investigate the eight-year tenure of Ortom from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023, and have six months to submit their reports.
The governor said that the judicial commissions were constituted in line with the Commission of Inquiry Law (Cap 40) Laws of Benue State, 2004.
He stressed that the investigation was not a mere bureaucratic endeavour but a response to the earnest desires and hopes of Benue people, who are critical stakeholders and owners of the state and its resources.
“The future prosperity of Benue hinges on the prudent and judicious management of our resources.
“As we usher in a new era characterized by prioritising the welfare of our people, it is imperative and quite incumbent upon us to ensure that every naira expended serves the collective interest and propels the growth and development of our state.
“Thus, it is incumbent upon us to scrutinise the management of our common resources during the specified periods.
“This inquiry is not rooted in distrust but in our commitment to the principles of accountability, transparency, and good governance, and to safeguarding the interests of the good people of Benue,” he said.
Alia said the Income and Expenditure Commission of inquiry would identify the income, expenditure, and utilisation of the funds that accrued to the coffers of the state government within the period of the investigation.
It is also to identify all state accounts, examine the propriety or otherwise of the transactions in the accounts, identify the loans taken, and ascertain the appropriateness of the utilization, interest charged on the loans, and the possible abuses thereof.
“To identify special interventions, including but not limited to the bailout funds and Paris Club refunds received by the Benue State Government from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023, and the applications thereof, to determine the internally generated revenue and the utilization of the same.
“Identify cases of misappropriation, abuse, misuse, and diversion of Benue State funds from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023.
“Identify those involved in all contracts issued within the period, the state wage bill, and the number of ghost workers that were receiving salaries, amongst others.”
According to the governor, the Assets and Moribund Companies Commission of Inquiry will identify all government properties, companies, and markets sold or leased by the administration of Ortom.
It will also determine the status and correct value of the properties sold or leased at the time.
“They will generally review all such transactions and advise the government on the appropriate action in the interest of the people and good governance,” the governor added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in 2015, Ortom also probed the administration of his predecessor, Sen. Gabriel Suswam. (NAN)
