Benue: Ortom condemns unjust harassment by Gov Alia

Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has condemned the towing of his vehicle by the Assets Recovery Committee, acting on the directives of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Ortom in a statement issued by his media aide, Terver Akase, said his vehicle alongside others undergoing repair were towed from a commercial workshop operated by London Lines Transport Ltd along Otukpo road in Makurdi on Tuesday.

He maintained that the Benue State Executive Council during his administration, gave him and his deputy approval to leave with their official vehicles.

Akase said, “We are shocked beyond belief at the development which smacks of lawlessness. The media show that followed the incident indicated that the present administration in the state is out to torment, persecute and humiliate the former Governor using every unconventional means.

“The invasion of a workshop today by members of the Assets Recovery Committee led by one Barrister Tom Uja who were accompanied by security operatives from Government House to tow away vehicles, many of which do not belong to the former Governor, was the height of illegality.

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“When the present Governor set up the Assets Recovery Committee and they made Chief Ortom a target, he approached the court and the matter is still in court.

“His Excellency Ortom is not the first former Governor to vacate office with the official vehicles allocated to him. His predecessors, former judicial officers, legislators such as the Chief of Staff to the present Governor, Paul Biam, the Assets Recovery Committee Chairman, Hinga Biem and other members of the committee who served in government at different times all left with the official vehicles given to them.

“Ortom is a law-abiding man who served the state as Governor and has not committed any offense deserving the persecution that the present administration has subjected him to. He will continue to respect the rule of law even in the face of the latest provocation,” the statement added.