The Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State commended Ortom for willingly submitting himself to the EFCC for questioning over his eight-year tenure.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, was released on Tuesday night following a 10-hour interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its Makurdi office.
The former governor arrived at the Makurdi zonal office of the EFCC around 10am and left at about 7:57pm.
It was gathered that Ortom was invited by the commission to answer to allegations relating to his eight years of stewardship as governor of the state.
After spending the entire day with the anti-graft agency, Ortom was driven out of the EFCC office in a Sports Utility Vehicle accompanied by some friends and associates who had waited patiently at a nearby hotel for his release.
Though the former governor could not be reached for comments but a statement released by his media aide, Terver Akase, said he was not arrested.
Akase, in the statement, explained that “contrary to insinuations in some sections of the media, the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom today visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to honour the invitation of the commission.
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“Chief Ortom was neither arrested nor detained at the EFCC Zonal Headquarters in Makurdi. The former Governor has repeatedly said that he is available to respond to inquiries by anti-graft agencies as he has nothing to hide regarding his stewardship of Benue State.”
Before leaving office, Ortom promised to remain in the country for at least five months to answer to any questions that might flow from his eight years of being on the saddle.
He also promised to present himself before anti graft agencies if invited for questioning on any issue whatsoever.
Ortom also enjoined his then appointees to make themselves available for questioning if invited saying “anytime you are invited by the EFCC, don’t be afraid to go, as for me I am not a coward to run away from EFCC, if they come for me I will follow them.
“I have nothing to fear, I don’t have any investment in Europe all I have are in this state. If anyone accuses me of committing any crime let the person come and show me.”
The Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State commended Ortom for willingly submitting himself to the EFCC for questioning over his eight-year tenure.