Benue Asset Recovery: Coy petitions Alia, demands return of 32 vehicles, N5 billion damages

The management of London Line Transport Company Ltd has written a petition to the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, over the invasion of its premises by the Assets Recovery Committee set up by the state government.

The company is demanding for return of 32 and general damages to the tune of N5 billion.

It will be recalled that members of Benue State Assets Recovery Committee on July 11, 2023, invaded the premises of London Line along Otukpo Road, Makurdi and carted away vehicles which they claimed were government vehicles that were taken away by the immediate past Governor of the state, Samuel Ortom.

In the petition to Governor Alia dated July 14, 2023, signed by the Chief Executive Officer of London Line Transport Ltd, Chief Emmanual Viashima, and made available to press men, the company stated that  officials of the committee led by Barr Tom Uja, forcefully broke into their premises, took stock of vehicles and carted them away.

The letter which was addressed to the governor was also copied to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, National Human Rights Commission, the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, President, Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Makurdi, Secretary to the Benue State Government, Chairman, Assets Recovery Committee, and the Tor Tiv lamented that the committee members harassed alarmed workers who had started recording the invasion and seized some of their phones which were later returned.

Chief Viashima continued that Upon been informed of the development, he rushed to the scene to make sense out of the entire chaotic scenario and to his utter disbelief, he was locked out of the premises and refused entry.

Shocked by the action of the committee, he quickly reached out to  his Landlords and lawyers who later arrived the scene, gained entry and upon enquiry, they were informed that there was a search warrant issued for the Committee to impound any Hilux, Prado and GAC brand of vehicles as well as any Bus found within the premises.