MAKURDI, Nigeria – Samuel Ortom, the former Governor of Benue State, and his deputy, Benson Abounu, on Thursday, June 15, 2023, have launched a legal challenge against the state government.
The lawsuit, filed in a High Court in Makurdi, targets the Assets Recovery Committee established by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The core of the dispute lies in the classification of certain properties.
Ortom and Abounu are seeking clarification from the court on whether the properties allocated to them as part of their entitlements and remuneration can be regarded as government assets.
The defendants in the case include Governor Alia, Hingah Biem, the Chairman of the Recovery Committee, and other committee members.
The lawsuit, filed by Barrister Douglas Pepe, is based on Sections 5(2), 44, 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The plaintiffs are asking the court to decide “whether or not the governor of Benue State is not bound by the constitutional approvals made by his predecessor.”
Ortom and Abounu are also seeking an affirmation of decisions made by them and the executive council prior to May 29, 2023.
Additionally, they are asking for a court order restraining the defendants and their agents from violating their rights to own property vested on them by the Benue government.
The court is expected to set a date for the hearing of the suit soon.
