Governor Alia Establishes 2 Judicial Commissions to Investigate Ortom’s Administration

• Governor Hyacinth Alia inaugurated two judicial commissions of inquiry to investigate the management of resources during Samuel Ortom’s tenure
• The commissions, headed by retired Justices Taiwo Taiwo and Apollos Paul Idi, will investigate income/expenditure and sale/lease of assets

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has initiated two distinct judicial commissions of inquiry to investigate the management of the state’s resources and assets during the tenure of his predecessor, Samuel Ortom.

Alia, who inaugurated the commissions on Monday evening, directed them to scrutinize the activities of the former administration spanning from 2015 to 2023. The two panels include the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Income and Expenditure of Benue State Government and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Sale/Lease of Government Assets, Companies, and Markets.

The governor emphasized the necessity of these inquiries in response to the desire of the state’s populace, the primary stakeholders and owners of the resources.

In their responses, the chairmen of the commissions, Justice Taiwo Taiwo (rtd) and Justice Apollos Paul Idi (rtd), expressed their commitment to conducting thorough investigations within the allotted time frame, adhering to their respective terms of reference.

The Commission on Income and Expenditure of Government Funds comprises Chief John Ochoga, Henry Tor, Tom Ujah, Ode Igbade Nick, Iorpenda Tarnguhar, and Terfa Gbande as members, with Barr. Ajinge Sar and Dr. Abraham Gberindyer serve as government counsel and secretary, respectively.

The Commission on Sale of Assets, Companies, and Markets includes Clement Nenge Beetse, John Ogah, Dr. Terungwa Adzende, and Hon. Abraham Atotse as members, with Victor Nyamtamen (Esq.) and John Edigbo serving as government council and secretary, respectively.

Meanwhile, former Governor Ortom welcomed his successor’s inauguration of the judicial commissions, expressing his willingness to cooperate with the investigations as long as they adhered to legal procedures. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, assuring his readiness to provide necessary information or clarifications and encouraging his former appointees to do the same.