September 06, (THEWILL) – The Benue State Commission of Inquiry looking into the income and expenditure of the state under former governor Samuel Ortom from 2015 to 2023 has ordered the former Special Adviser on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Senator Titus Zam, to appear before it.
Also to appear before the commission are the immediate past Special Adviser of the Bureau, Barr. Ken Achabo; former Permanent Secretary, Elvis Attah; Director of Finance, Isaiah Ipevnor, and Moses Nder to explain the alleged unusual withdrawal of monies in a single day amounting to about N60 million.
Chairman of the Commission, retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo, gave the order when the Special Adviser on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Dennis Akura, submitted evidence before it.
The Chairman said all former governor Ortom’s advisers on BLGCF, Director of Finance, Permanent Secretaries, and Cashiers who served during the period under review must appear before it to explain what purpose and how it was expended.
Testifying, Dr. Akura, who was led in evidence by the State Counsel, Barr. S. Ajinge, said he assumed duty in October 2023 and asked the Directors of Finance and Administration to prepare a record of the income and expenditure of the state during the period under review.
Responding to a question, Dr. Akura said he was not in a position to answer questions about such unusual withdrawals and expenditures.
