Former Governor Samuel Ortom has rejected the Benue State Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry's report. The report claims there is a ₦139.8 billion gap in the state's finances from 2015 to 2023.
The commission, with eight members and headed by retired Justice Jubril Idrisu, submitted the report to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Friday in Makurdi. This report wraps up a year-long investigation into the finances of Ortom's administration and the state's 23 local councils.
While presenting the report, Mr Idrisu said the commission looked through financial records and held public hearings with former government officials and institutions. He stated that the state made over ₦826.5 billion during this time, while spending was about ₦683.4 billion. This leaves an alleged missing balance of ₦139.8 billion.
"The Commission's findings revealed major concerns in the management of public finances during the period under review," Mr Idrisu said. He added that the funds should be recovered from those responsible.
The commission's report also mentioned suspicious loan deals involving local governments and financial institutions. Some loan repayments reportedly exceeded the original amounts borrowed, and there was a lack of proper documents.
The commission suggested tighter financial controls, including proper approvals for electronic transactions and stopping the use of blank pre-signed mandates.
Deputy Governor Sam Ode received the report for Governor Alia. He said the current administration is focused on transparency, accountability, and reforms in institutions. Ode expressed confidence that following the recommendations would improve governance and reduce the mismanagement of public funds.
The commission started its work in June 2025 as part of Governor Alia's plan to review the finances of past administrations. This comes after earlier probes faced legal challenges.
But Ortom rejected the report less than a day after it was presented. He called the inquiry “fundamentally flawed, legally challenged and politically motivated.”
In a statement from his media aide, Terver Akase, on Saturday, Ortom said the probe was meant to blame his administration, no matter the facts.
"What the people of Benue witnessed was not an exercise in accountability. It was a carefully scripted political witch-hunt aimed at indicting Chief Samuel Ortom's government at all costs," the statement said.
Ortom questioned the inquiry's legitimacy. He pointed out that previous panels set up by Alia's administration were challenged and later dissolved due to legal issues.
He mentioned that an appeal against the legality of the current commission is set to be heard on 29 June. The state government is also at the Supreme Court regarding earlier court rulings on the probe panels.
"It is amazing that a government which willingly submitted itself to the courts would act as if those court processes do not exist," he said.
The former governor also accused the Alia administration of using the probe to distract from serious issues like insecurity, the plight of internally displaced persons, and conflicts in the education sector.
"Whenever questions arise about the over N1.3 trillion that has come to Benue State under the current administration, Governor Alia and his appointees quickly blame Ortom," the statement added.
Ortom insisted that all financial actions during his time followed established rules and went through audits and legislative checks.
This latest disagreement adds to the political rivalry between Alia and Ortom. This rivalry has influenced much of the political conversation in Benue since the current administration took over in May 2023.
The dispute also highlights ongoing tensions in the state's political scene, including recent fights over party primaries, governance reforms, and how public resources are managed.
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