9 arrested in Benue, over N107 bn loot

1st September, 2016.

 

  

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), collaborating with the Nigeria Police have started the process of the recovery of the N107 billion allegedly looted from Benue State treasury by 52 individuals and 10 corporate organisations in the last administration.
Already, nine people have been arrested and quizzed.

The nine persons, who were indicted by the Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Commission of Inquiry, were arrested and detained at the State Police headquarters in Makurdi, Benue Stat before they were taken to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation and subsequent prosecution.

Those arrested included former governor Gabriel Suswam’s former special adviser on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Solomon Wombo, former Permanent Secretary of the bureau, Mr Asen Sambe, and the accountant during their time, Mr. Isaiah Ipevnor.

Others were Janet Aluga, Moses Detso, Peter Ochoga, James Gera, Aorga Emmanuel and former legal adviser of Benue Investment and Property Company, BIPC, Mr John Tyokegh.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Bashir Makama, who confirmed the arrests, explained that the order came from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Wombo allegedly reported to the police at the force headquarters in Abuja and is currently being detained there.
The police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one of those indicted by the Kpojime Commission, Mr Richard Gbande, escaped when police went to arrest him, but two of his cars were impounded.

Another source revealed that large amounts of money and ammunition were recovered from the houses of some of those arrested.
In his reaction to the development, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Michael Gusa, who also confirmed the arrests, stated that Ortom’s administration would do everything legally possible to recover the looted funds.

He assured the people of the state that after the recovery of the money, it would be channelled towards the development of the state as well as the clearing of all salaries and other entitlements owed workers and pensioners.

 

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