Tag Archives: Benue State

Ex-governor Suswam docked on fresh N9.8 billion fraud allegation

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A former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, is in for another round of troubled waters as the Federal Government, on Monday, accused him and two others of diverting N9.79 billion.

The funds, part of which was meant for a police reform programme and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, were allegedly diverted between 2012 and 2015 while Mr. Suswam was the governor of Benue State.

The SURE-P scheme was set up by the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration following the partial removal of fuel subsidy in 2012.

According to the Punch Newspaper, the allegations are contained in the 32 fraud and money laundering charges filed against Mr. Suswam and two others on Monday.

A former commissioner of finance in Benue State under the Suswam administration, Omadachi Oklobia, and the then accountant, Benue State Government House Administration, Janet Aluga, were also named as defendants in the charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/48/2017.

The prosecution accused the defendants of conspiracy, conversion of property derived directly from corruption; collaboration to conceal property derived from corruption; obtaining by false pretences and accepting cash payments, exceeding the amount authorised by law.

Earlier this year, a six-count charge bothering on alleged N7.5 billion fraud was filed against Mr. Suswam by the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The former governor was alleged to have conspired with Mr. Oklobia and Ms. Aluga to launder the money.

Messrs. Suswam and Oklobia are already standing trial before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the same division of the court for allegedly diverting about N3.1 billion, belonging to the Benue government.

 

Source: Premium Times

President Buhari Endorses Benue Amnesty Programme – Gov. Ortom

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday endorsed the amnesty programme initiated by Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue to get illegally armed youths in the state to surrender their weapons.

 

Ortom announced Buhari’s endorsement of the programme while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja after he briefed the president on security matters in Benue.

 

He said that the president was impressed with the success of the amnesty programme which started in 2015, and gave him the nod to continue with it as part of efforts to keep the state and the nation safer.

 

“It is just normal briefing on what we are doing back in Benue so far about security, especially on the amnesty programme.

 

“I granted amnesty to many of our youths who were having arms and were terrorizing people in the state through kidnapping, armed robbery, outright killings and all that.

 

“But, today the situation is very calm. I still have challenges from youths in one of my zones; zone C, who refused to wholeheartedly embrace the amnesty.

 

“But, last week, traditional rulers came together with other stakeholders and appealed to us to extend the amnesty to one month, so that they can convince their people to bring out their arms.

 

Ortom expressed the determination of his administration to partner with the Federal Government in its ongoing crusade against corruption.

 

He said this had become imperative in view of the fact that the optimum use of the country’s vast resources at a time of dwindling oil revenues is seriously hampered by corruption.

 

He said that the recent allegations of misuse of ?bailout funds by his administration were borne out of ignorance.

 

He said that the Commissioner for Finance had explained the true situation to the State House of Assembly.

 

On the imminent pronouncement of judgement ?on the case challenging his election at the Supreme Court, Ortom said he was not scared by the outcome because of his belief that he would get justice.

 

He said he was validly elected by the electorate based on the programmes he promised them, adding that nobody in his political party was complaining about his nomination.

 

The governor said that the opposition candidate challenging his victory in court had ?initially congratulated him.

 

He reiterated his decision to ask the people of Benue to stop consumption of rats in view of the outbreak of the deadly Lassa fever in the state, with one case already recorded.

 

(NAN)

Ortom Donates Beds, Wheelchairs To Benue elders

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Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue on Tuesday donated a Toyota Hilux van, wheelchairs and beds to the Centre for Parental Care of the Old and Vulnerable (CEPACOV) in Makurdi.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ortom had visited the home to inspect its facilities for the care of the elderly.

 

The home was established in 2006 by Lady Theresa Atser as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

 
Ortom urged wealthy individuals and organisations in the state to always remember the needy, old, vulnerable and especially the senior citizens in the society in such homes.

 
Further to the donation of items, the governor ordered the State Ministry of Finance to release a monthly allocation of N500,000 as standing impress to the centre for the up keep of the aged.
He also paid for the treatment of one Iurun Tso one of the inmates whose eyes were removed by ritualists who also suffered from hernia and required urgent surgery.

 
In a welcome address, Atser, the Executive Director of the centre, said it also catered for children and vulnerable people in the state.

 
She expressed regret that individualism, selfishness and the prevailing poverty in the country had made the living conditions of the elderly very pitiable and deplorable.

 

“The extended family system in Tiv land is very useful, the old people are well catered for by the younger ones, but this has however changed drastically due to the demands of the society today. Family members have little or no time to look after their old ones.
“Also individualism, selfishness and the prevailing poverty in the country has made the living conditions of the elderly very pitiable and deplorable,’’ she said.

 

According to her, the centre has no fewer than 50 clients placed on monthly stipends and several others staying at the Old People’s Care Home.

 
She commended individuals and organisations that help in supporting the home financially.

 

 

(NAN)

NAF To Benue Residents: We’ll Protect Your Lives And Property

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The Nigerian Air force (NAF), has assured the people of Benue State of adequate protection of their lives and property.

This was contained in a statement signed by Air Commodore Dele Alonge, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja .

“NAF wishes to assure the good people of Benue State of adequate protection of their lives and property,” the statement said.

It noted that Nigerian Air Force had over the years maintained the reputation of being a responsible organisation that had discharged its constitutional mandate of protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

It added that the NAF also had a constitutional mandate to secure the nation’s airspace, including the lives and property of the citizenry.

Quoting from intelligence reports, the statement said that due to fierce attack on them, Boko Haram insurgents were in disarray and looking for soft targets to strike especially military installations.

“Thus, the NAF has a responsibility to secure its perimeter fence to forestall any pre-emptive attack within and around the Air Force Base in Makurdi,” the statement said.

It added that it was with the intention to fortify the Base that the Air Force recently carried out cordon and search operation within its area of responsibility.

The statement said that in the course of carrying out the search, there was no destruction of houses or displacement of persons as reported by some media houses.

“We wish to state unequivocally that the Nigerian Air Force is a humane, sensitive and rational organisation that does not trample on the rights of law abiding citizens.”

The statement advised the people of the state to go about their normal business without fear of intimidation.

 

 

(NAN)

Benue State Backs Akume For Senate Presidency

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Political leaders in the Benue State are backing George Akume’s candidature for the position of Senate President.

The leaders, under the auspices of Benue Rebirth Initiative, expressed their commitment to work for the success of the legislator in his bid to succeed David Mark.

“We sincerely wish to use this medium to affirm to Nigerians and the rest of Africa that the bitter tribal discord between the various ethnic components of Benue State has been buried through the concerted efforts of this group in honour of Senator George Akume’s detribalized and nationalistic posture,” the organisation said.

The organisation said Akume’s Senate Presidency would bring rapid development of the north central geopolitical hemisphere by the practical demonstration of his mass followership cutting across every stratum of the society and the expected collaboration with the incoming administration of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to deliver on the All Progressives Congress manifesto.

“We wish to throw our total support behind Senator George Akume, which is not only to confirm his evergreen political image in the minds of the poor masses of Benue State but to reaffirm our commitment to the unity of purpose that the interest of Benue State must come before the selfish interest of a few minority in the land.”

Benue Rebirth Initiative said it had carefully analyzed the various arguments canvassed in favour of Akume, who is a former Governor of the state and present minority leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, expressing confidence that Akume perfectly fitted into the various arguments centred on religion, legislative experience, strength of character, goodwill, masses oriented ideology.

“This rare gesture particularly from his party men and women at the All Progressive Congress is a pointer to the fact that Benue’s position in our democratic experience cannot be over emphasized at this point in time.”

Credit: CAJ News

INEC Declares PDP Reps Candidate Winner 19 Days to Election

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INEC has declared Christian Adabah Abah, the only candidate validly nominated to contest the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadigbo Federal Constituency seat in Benue State. The declaration which was made yesterday is in accordance to the provisions of the Electoral Act.

This declaration has made the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be winner of the first seat in the House of Representatives this year. This came less than three weeks to the start of the forthcoming general elections.