The Benue State government on Thursday said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) unfroze its bank accounts.
The EFCC had frozen the accounts of the state government domiciled in three banks on Tuesday, saying it was investigating alleged abuse of the state’s security votes.
Reacting in a statement the next day, the state government described the action as an alleged political witch-hunt aimed at frustrating Governor Ortom’s efforts after he left the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The statement read, “The action of EFCC is already having a negative impact on the running of government in Benue State.
“It is a move that will affect salaries, pensions and other sundry payments. The question we are asking is; why did EFCC not investigate the Governor’s security votes when he was still a member of APC?”
Hours later, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also condemned EFCC’s action.
NGF Chairman and Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari, had told reporters in Abuja that freezing the accounts of the government was unconstitutional.
However, Trerver Akase, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom, confirmed on Thursday that the accounts have been unfrozen.
