The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has kicked against the freezing of the Benue State government’s bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The accounts were frozen by the EFCC which linked the governor of the State, Samuel Ortom to an alleged fraud to the tune of N22 billion but the governor has since denied the allegation.
The EFCC said that between June 30, 2015 and March 2018, the governor ordered the withdrawal of N21.3bn from four government’s accounts in Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank of Nigeria and the United Bank for Africa.
On paper, about N19 billion out of the money was said to be meant for the payment of six security agencies that had been deployed in the state to address the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, Terver Akase, said: “yes, it is true that accounts of the Benue State Government have been frozen by EFCC. It is part of the political witch-hunt against Governor Samuel Ortom. The action of EFCC is already having 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? Why start the investigation now?”
He said that EFCC should not allow itself to be used as an attack dog unleashed against perceived political opponents.
“Let the Federal Government tell us how much it has spent on prosecuting the fight against Boko Haram and how much it spent on the other operations such as Python Dance, Crocodile Smile and Whirl Stroke.”
He added that Benue had suffered heavy attacks by Fulani herdsmen since the beginning of the year even as he said legitimate support were given security agencies to protect the people of the state.
“Governor Ortom has not diverted funds. He runs a transparent administration”, he said.
He said the state government will welcome the investigation, but added it should start from the Presidency and go across the 36 states. “Benue should not be singled out for victimisation, intimidation and harassment as the Federal Government with its agencies is currently doing.”
However, chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari described the freezing of the Benue state accounts as an attempt to shut down the state, adding that it is unconstitutional and wrong especially as the state is still battling with security challenges.
Answering reporters’ questions today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Governor Yari called on the Federal Government not to allow security agencies to become lawless.
“The freezing of any account of the state government whether Benue or anywhere is unconstitutional and is not right. That is shutting down government. Government must spend, most especially Benue that is facing insecurity challenges.
“Well, we don’t know why the EFCC took the action. But if indeed EFFC freezed the account, from my point of view, it is wrong.
“This government will not sit down and oversee unlawful operation from the security agencies. From what happened yesterday (Tuesday, Daura sack), everyone can understand that government is following due process and the laws of Nigeria.
“For one to just send security agencies to shut down the National Assembly, and the action that followed, that is what gave credit to this government by local and international community.
“Similar thing had happened in 2011 and 2014 respectively, but nothing was done about it, this time around, government said enough is enough. But the government of Muhammadu Buhari is following due process and will never oversee an unlawful activity by any security agency. So in the case of Benue, I believe something must be done.” [myad]