By Ken Chiwendu
The Benue State Government has confiscated more than 30 vehicles in former governor, Samuel Ortom’s automobile workshop located along Makurdi – Oturkpo road.
The development comes after Alia accused his predecessor of carting away 29 vehicles belonging to the Benue State Government.
Alia ‘s Chief Press Secretary ,Tersoo Kula had in a statement said that the Ortom government House was before the handing over, vandalised vehicles including ambulance and press crew bus attached to the office of governor along with furniture, electronics and other home appliances.
Consequently,Alia in June 2023, appointed an Asset Recovery Committee chaired by Hingah Biem with a charge to trace all moveable and immovable assets from officials of the Ortom – led administration.
The committee was mandated to conduct a thorough assessment of all government assets, including lands, vehicles, houses, furniture, and machinery, to initiate their recovery.
On Tuesday, the committee kick-started its assignment with the raid on Ortom’s Auto- mechanic workshop where it confiscated over 30 vehicles using towing vans to pull out some vehicles.
Addressing journalists ,Biem said other locations have been identified .
But reacting to the raid, Ortom, said that the Alia administration is persecuting him along with close associates.
The governor who spoke through his spokesman, Terver Akase reiterated that there are records and proof of how past governors and their appointees are allowed to buy off their official vehicles to serve them after office.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the state has described the raid as a witch-hunt by Alia against the former governor.
The publicity secretary of the party,Bemgba Iortyom said the vehicles seized by ” thugs accompanied by security agents purported to be on assets recovery mission raided a private automobile workshop owned by the former governor’s business concen, Oracle Nig Ltd,carting away motor vehicles at the premises of the workshop.
The PDP scribe quoted staff of the mechanic workshop as saying that” the vehicles where those brought for repairs by private owners and are not in any way from any public source “
