Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as he was invited for questioning regarding his tenure.
Ortom arrived at the EFCC's Makurdi zonal office on Alor Gordon street in the state capital at exactly 10:08 am. Accompanied by his media aide, Terver Akase, and Principal Special Assistant on Special Duties, Abraham Kwanhgu, he walked straight into the building. As of the time this report was filed at 11:25 am, Ortom had not left the premises.
A previous report by Daily Trust detailed how Ortom handed over a debt profile of N187.7 billion to Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia's administration. The handover took place during a brief ceremony at the old banquet hall of the Government House in Makurdi. Ortom provided Alia with three volumes of handover notes summarizing his eight-year administration.
During the handover, Ortom explained that the state's total income during his eight-year tenure amounted to N734.9 billion as of April 2023. However, the accumulated debt incurred by the state within that period stood at N187.7 billion, which included unpaid salaries, pension arrears, loans, and bonds, among other liabilities.
Ortom also informed his successor about a debt swap/reduction arrangement worth N97.716 billion between the state and the Federal Government. With an expected inflow of N48 billion, after discount, the negotiated debt swap would bring the state's total debt profile down to N45.2 billion.
Furthermore, Ortom disclosed that his administration had already secured approval for a N41 billion loan and a N20 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) facility. He urged Alia's administration to make efforts to release the funds once sworn into office.
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