Ortom reacts to report of ‘missing’  N139.8bn under his administration 

Ortom reacts to report of ‘missing’ 
N139.8bn under his administration 


From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has dismissed a report that indicated his administration of failing to account for N139.8 billion as a political witch hunt.

Governor Hyacinth Alia had in June 2025, inaugurated an income and expenditure committee headed by a retired judge, Justice Jubril Idrisu, to examine the income and expenditure of Ortom’s administration and the 23 local government councils between May 29, 2015, and May 28, 2023.

In the report submitted on Friday, Justice Idrisu stated that despite challenges, including delays caused by unforeseen circumstances and difficulties in accessing some crucial documents, the commission of inquiry meticulously reviewed financial records and conducted public hearings involving the former government officials and institutions.

He disclosed that the commission’s findings, contained in two volumes, revealed significant concerns in the management of public finances during the period under review.

According to him, records showed that the state generated over ₦826.5 billion in revenue, while expenditure stood at about ₦683.4 billion, leaving an unaccounted balance of approximately ₦139.8 billion, which the commission recommended should be recovered from persons identified as responsible.

The Chairman further revealed that the investigation uncovered questionable loan transactions involving some financial institutions and local government councils, including repayments that far exceeded the original loan amounts, with inadequate documentation to justify the transactions.

He added that the commission also identified other irregular financial dealings involving public funds transferred to certain financial institutions without sufficient records or proof of legitimacy, recommending appropriate recoveries, where necessary.

Justice Idrisu also emphasized the need for stronger financial controls, including proper authorization of online transactions by designated officers and an end to the practice of issuing blank pre-signed mandates, which the commission noted, undermines transparency and accountability.

Ortom, in his response, dismissed the report as a ‘desperate witch-hunt’ and distraction from three years of failed governance

Ortom’s response was contained in a statement issued by his Media Assistant Zege Paul on Saturday.

According to the commission’s work is a desperate attempt to confer legitimacy on a process that is fundamentally flawed, legally challenged, and politically motivated.

He said, “let it be stated clearly that what the people of Benue witnessed on Friday was not an exercise in accountability. It was the culmination of a carefully scripted political witch-hunt designed from the outset to indict the government of Chief Samuel Ortom at all costs.

“The public may recall that the Alia administration initially constituted two probe panels to investigate the immediate past administration. Those panels became the subject of legal challenge, and notices were duly served on the government. Rather than allow the courts to determine the issues raised, the administration dissolved the original panels and constituted a new one under a different name.

“Even the current Commission whose report was presented on Friday, was served with notices arising from pending legal proceedings challenging the legitimacy of the exercise.

“More importantly, there is a subsisting matter before the Court of Appeal on the same issues, with hearing scheduled for June 29, 2026.

“In addition, the Benue State Government itself approached the Supreme Court to challenge an Appeal Court decision that nullified the constitution of its probe panels established to investigate the previous administration. The matter remains pending before the apex court”.

Ortom said that the presentation of the report despite alleged court proceedings was a media spectacle intended to achieve through propaganda what the government has been unable to achieve through due process.

The former governor launched an accusation of failure against the Alia administration, claiming 
mounting public concerns over insecurity, the plight of internally displaced persons, declining public confidence, industrial disputes in the education sector, and questions surrounding the management of enormous financial resources that have accrued to the state between May 29, 2023 and now.

He said rather than weaponisation of probes on his tenure, the Alia administration should account for the alleged ₦1.3 trillion that accrued to it in the last three years.