- Uses EFCC to freeze Benue Govt’s accounts
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is leaving no stone unturned to ensure Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State is squeezed to the point that he is incapacitated to govern the state since his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Accordingly, the APC government deployed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to swing into action of conducting investigation on allegations of money laundering against Governor Ortom. Thus, the EFCC froze accounts of the Beune State Government domiciled in commercial banks while investigations have not been concluded.
National Daily gathered that senior government officials disclosed that the effected accounts are domiciled in First Bank Limited, Fidelity Bank and GTB.
They were said to have confirmed that the freeze order was obtained from a judge, warning that it will be difficult for the Ortom administration to meet the financial obligations of government. Terver Akase, the governor’s media aide, admonished that the APC government is desperate to shut down Benue State Government and worsen the conditions of the people. “The agenda to shut down Benue State is thickening by the day,” Terver Akase declared.
Benue State Government has not paid salaries of the state’s workforce despite bailout funds, loans refunds from the federal government and even loans obtained from commercial banks.
The state has also been a theater of violence and wanton killings, including destruction of property and farmlands by gunmen.