RECOVERY OF BENUE'S STOLEN FUNDS RECEIVES A BOOST

* As N4.5 Billion Stolen Bond Money Returns

By David Mzer

The transparency and accountability policy of the Samuel Ortom administration has recorded another milestone.

I can reliably report to you that the N4.5 billion bond money which former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam connived with others and diverted to their personal use and still had the face to deny ever doing a thing of that nature has been refunded to the coffers of the state.

You will recall that a few days after Governor Ortom announced the fraudulent activity of diverting the bond proceeds by Suswam, the former governor came out swiftly and denied that such a fraud ever took place during his administration. He swore that his administration did not receive the bond money. In a statement he personally authored, Suswam wrote:

"Subsidiaries of three banks (FBN Trustees Ltd, SKYE Trustees Ltd, and UBA Trustees Ltd) were appointed as joint trustees to manage the bond for the benefits of all parties, and three separate accounts were also opened at the Makurdi branch of UBA Plc to receive the bond proceeds.

“However, following the loss of elections the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered at the April, 2015 General Elections, the bond proceeds were not released to my administration by the financial institutions”.

The above statements of denial made by Gabriel Suswam were followed by paragraphs in the same write-up which attacked the person and office of Governor Ortom. Former Governor Suswam shamelessly wrote further:

"To even think that such an allegation was made at a church service before a congregation gathered to worship God Almighty is most shocking... "

With the refund of the bond money to the coffers of Benue State by UBA, we now know who lied.

I dedicate this good news to all lovers of transparency and accountability. This is what Benue people voted for. The people chose a Governor who will honestly tell them how much the state has at all times. This is what Governor Ortom is doing.

Imagine that the refund of this bond money took place during the previous administration. No one would have heard about it. Gbimiiin would have been the response.

Kudos to Governor Ortom and his administration for achieving this feat! Congratulations Benue!