The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has accused the State Government of engaging in a troubling campaign of harassment.
In a statement released on Tuesday by his Media Aide, Terver Akase, Chief Samuel Ortom, levelled allegations against the State Government, claiming that they were involved in a distressing campaign of harassment.
According to the former Governor, a commercial workshop operated by London Lines Transport Ltd, located on Otukpo road in Makurdi, experienced an unsettling incident where his vehicles, along with vehicles belonging to other individuals undergoing repairs, were forcibly removed by members of the Assets Recovery Committee.
These actions were carried out under the directives of Governor Hyacinth Alia, who authorized the intrusion into the workshop.
“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.
“As we previously stated, the Benue State Executive Council, during the last administration, gave approval that Governor Ortom, his Deputy and appointees of that administration should leave with their official vehicles.
“The invasion of a workshop today by members of the Assets Recovery Committee led by one Barrister Tom Uja who was 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.
“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.
“Chief Ortom is a law-abiding man who served the state as Governor and has not committed any offence 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.”
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