MAKURDI, Nigeria — The Asset Recovery Committee, appointed by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, conducted a surprise raid on an auto shop owned by his predecessor, former Governor Samuel Ortom, in the state capital of Makurdi, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
During the operation, several vehicles were seized, with some towed away after attempts to drive them failed.
The action sparked a fiery response from the opposition, as the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue accused Governor Alia of initiating a witch hunt against Ortom.
PDP State Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, castigated the operation as “a shameful showing of naked tyranny and impunity.”
“Earlier today, thugs accompanied by security agents purporting to be on an assets recovery mission, raided a private automobile workshop owned by the former governor’s business concern, Oracle Nig. Ltd., carting away motor vehicles at the premises of the workshop,” Iortyom said.
The PDP claims that the seized vehicles were privately owned and brought in for repairs, not linked to any public assets.
Iortyom added, “PDP notes that this is yet another manifestation of disregard for the rule of law by the Benue State Governor, considering there is a subsisting court order barring his government from tampering with the assets of the former governor, specifically motor vehicles.”
The current governor’s office, through Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula, claimed 29 government vehicles were looted by the former governor, making the case of asset recovery a contentious issue in the state.
“The case of the government house is particularly pitiable with vandalised furniture, window blinds, electronics and other household appliances,” Kula said, adding that “an ambulance and press crew bus attached to the office of the governor” were among the missing vehicles.
This raid represents an escalation in the simmering political tension between Governor Alia and former Governor Ortom, bringing the issue of asset recovery and accountability into the spotlight once more in Benue State.
