N4.5bn allegation: Ortom begins probe of Akume’s tenure

We have not seen the complaint letter – Akume

Clear indication’s emerged yesterday that Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, may have begun the probe of the eight-year tenure of former governor of the state now Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume. While Akume is yet to react formally to this development, however, one of his aides said that the Senator is yet to receive any letter to that effect and so can’t comment on the matter until he is served.

This follows a letter of complaint by Ortom’s government asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the minister over alleged gross financial impropriety to the tune of over N4,556,899,632.9 billion when he served as governor.

The alleged financial scandal, which ranges from misappropriation of public funds, approvals above limit, abuse of office and public trust also include the sale of N33, 440,818 million units of shares at the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), also valued at billions of naira without recourse to due process. Akume was succeeded by Ortom’s predecessor, who is now Senator representing Benue North East, Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam.

The letter of complaint to the two anti graft agencies and the Inspector General of Police was written and signed by counsels to the state government, Okeoga Darlington and made available to newsmen in Makurdi by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa. According to the letter which was generated from an audit report spanning 1999 and 2007 when Senator Akume served as governor, said he unilaterally approved the sum of N117 million which is above his approval limit without recourse to the State Executive Council meeting.