The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former Governor of Benue Stater, Samuel Ortom, after grilling him for over nine hours at their Makurdi Zonal office.
Ortom had arrived at the EFCC office at about 10am and was released by 7:57pm on Tuesday.
Reports said that Ortom was quizzed over alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor.
Several of the ex-governor’s former aides, including Abraham Kwaghngu and Terver Akase among others, were on standby and accompanied him to his Makurdi residence at Judges quarters.
Meanwhile, the Benue State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has commended Ortom for voluntarily submitting himself to answer questions about his eight years tenure in office.
“The decision of former governor Ortom to honour the invitation extended to him by the Commission, our great party hails his conduct as exemplary and reflecting clarity of conscience.
“The former Governor’s action also depicts him as a man of his word as it fulfils promises he made while in office that at the end of his tenure, he will be willing to give an open account of all that he did in execution of the mandate vested to him as governor by the Benue electorate,” it said.
A statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Bemgba Iortyom, said the PDP notes that while this would not be the first time a former governor will be answering questions before the anti-graft agency, Ortom’s case is remarkably distinct for lack of rancour and acrimony, which usually trail such appearances.
According to the statement, the party is satisfied that Ortom’s conduct is a clear reflection of having no skeletons in his cupboard and urged other public officeholders to emulate him by discharging their duties and responsibilities while in office within the confines of the law.