Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has dismissed the report of the Benue State Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry, describing the exercise as a politically driven attempt to tarnish the image of his administration.
The reaction followed the submission of the commission’s report to the Benue State Government, which claimed that about N139.8 billion could not be accounted for during the period covered by its investigation.
The report was presented on Friday in Makurdi by the eight-member panel headed by retired Justice Jubril Idrisu.
The commission was set up by Governor Hyacinth Alia in June 2025 to examine the income and spending records of the Ortom administration and the 23 local government councils between May 2015 and May 2023.
According to the panel, Benue State generated more than N826.5 billion within the period under review and spent about N683.4 billion, leaving a balance of roughly N139.8 billion that could not be traced.
Deputy Governor Sam Ode, who received the report on behalf of Governor Alia, said the state government remained committed to accountability and proper management of public funds.
He expressed confidence that the recommendations contained in the report would help strengthen public institutions and improve transparency in government operations.
However, Ortom, through a statement issued by his media aide, Terhide Zege, rejected the findings and questioned the credibility of the entire process.
He argued that the inquiry was flawed and motivated by politics rather than a genuine effort to promote accountability.
The former governor maintained that the legality of the probe remains before the courts.
He noted that previous panels established by the Alia administration to investigate his government were challenged and later dissolved before the current commission was formed.
Ortom also pointed to an ongoing appeal challenging the legality of the inquiry, with a hearing expected at the Court of Appeal on June 29, 2026.
He added that the Benue State Government had approached the Supreme Court over an earlier appellate court ruling that invalidated previous investigative panels.
He questioned why the government would continue with the inquiry while legal proceedings related to the matter were still pending.
The former governor further accused the current administration of focusing on his tenure instead of addressing challenges facing the state.
He listed insecurity, the welfare of internally displaced persons, disputes in the education sector and concerns about state finances as issues that deserve greater attention.
Ortom claimed that his successor frequently blames his administration whenever questions arise about governance, security challenges or public dissatisfaction in the state.
He insisted that all financial transactions carried out during his time in office followed due process and existing laws.
According to him, government accounts were audited annually, budgets received approval through the proper channels and financial records were maintained by the appropriate institutions.
The former governor stated that he remains confident in his record while in office and would continue to pursue all legal options regarding the commission’s findings.
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