The Assets Recovery Committee set up by the Benue State Government says it has confiscated over 30 vehicles and Hilux vans from former governor of the state Samuel Ortom.
The committee confiscated the vehicles reportedly kept at an automobile workshop located along the Makurdi/Otukpo road where they proceeded to seize the vehicles.
Chaired by Hingah Biem, the committee’s responsibilities include tracing all moveable and immovable assets from officials of the Samuel Ortom-led administration.
Mr Biem said the committee’s primary objective was to conduct a thorough assessment of all government assets, including lands, vehicles, houses, furniture, and machinery, to initiate their recovery.
Biem said the committee trailed the vehicles from the London line auto-mechanic workshop allegedly owned by one of Ortom’s associates.
The official said other locations have been identified as the recovery process is still ongoing.
Ortom’s media aide, Terver Akase, shortly after the events, said the Alia administration was persecuting his principal and all known associates.
He said records and proof abound of how past governors and their appointees are allowed to buy off their official vehicles to serve them after office.
Similarly, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has accused Governor Alia of witch hunting Ortom after removing vehicles from the latter’s automobile workshop.
The PDP State spokesperson, Bemgba Iortyom, described the committee’s outing as “a shameful showing of naked tyranny and impunity.”
“Staff of the workshop have confirmed to the PDP that the vehicles, of a yet to be ascertained number, were those brought there for repairs by private owners and are not in any way from any public source.
“The PDP notes that this is yet another manifestation of disregard for the rule of law by the Benue State Governor, considering there is a subsisting court order barring his government from tampering with the assets of the former governor, specifically motor vehicles,” he said.
Governor Alia had through his Chief Press Secretary; Tersoo Kula said government vehicles numbering 29 were looted by the past governor.
Kula had in a statement said “The case of the Government House is particularly pitiable with vandalised furniture, window blinds, electronics and other household appliances.
“This is besides the carting away of all vehicles including an ambulance and press crew bus attached to the office of the governor. At the last count, 29 vehicles attached to the governor’s office are still nowhere to be found.”
