Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, Released by EFCC after Extensive Questioning

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, was released by the Makurdi zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday after being interrogated for over nine hours. Accompanied by his media aide, Terver Akase, and Principal Special Assistant on Special Duties, Abraham Kwanghgu, Ortom departed from the EFCC office at 7:56 pm following the extensive questioning.

During his cabinet valedictory session held at the old banquet hall of Government House in Makurdi, Ortom had encouraged his council members not to fear whenever the EFCC invited them for questioning. He assured them that he was not the type to run away from the EFCC when his attention was required.

The presence of the former governor at the EFCC facility sparked significant reactions on social media, with many users praising the anti-graft agency for its action and calling for a thorough investigation into Ortom’s administration.

In response, the Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commended Ortom for voluntarily submitting himself to answer questions regarding his eight-year tenure before the EFCC. Bemgba Iortyom, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, stated that Ortom had visited the Makurdi office of the EFCC to honor the commission’s invitation.

Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State applauded the EFCC’s invitation to grill the former governor, citing his eight-year administration in the state. Daniel Ihomun, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, alleged that the EFCC had summoned Ortom to address allegations of corruption during his tenure.

However, Ortom’s media aide, Terver Akase, swiftly responded, stating that his boss was neither arrested nor detained. Akase clarified that Ortom visited the EFCC in Makurdi to honor the commission’s invitation, contrary to insinuations in certain media reports.

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“Chief Ortom was neither arrested nor detained at the EFCC Zonal Headquarters in Makurdi. The former Governor has repeatedly stated that he is available to respond to inquiries by anti-graft agencies as he has nothing to hide regarding his stewardship of Benue State,” Akase clarified in a statement.

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