Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue inaugurated two judicial commissions of inquiry on Tuesday to investigate the administration of former governor, Samuel Ortom.
The commissions are the Benue Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry 2024 and the Sale/Lease of Government Assets, Companies, and Markets (both State and LG Markets) Moribund Companies Commission of Inquiry 2024.
During the inauguration of the commissions, Alia emphasized that the inquiry aimed to promote accountability, transparency, and good governance.
The income and expenditure inquiry commission is chaired by Rtd. Justice Taiwo with Dr. Abraham Gberindyer as Secretary, while Rtd. Justice Appolos Idi would chair the assets and moribund companies inquiry commission with John Edigbo as Secretary.
Governor Alia specified that the commissions would investigate the eight-year tenure of Ortom from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023, and they have six months to submit their reports.
He emphasized that the judicial commissions were established in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Law (Cap 40) Laws of Benue State, 2004.
Governor Alia underscored that the investigation is not merely a bureaucratic exercise but a response to the earnest desires and hopes of Benue people, who are critical stakeholders and owners of the state and its resources.