The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday.

Ortom arrived at the Makurdi zonal office of the anti-graft agency, located at Alor Gordon Street, at 10:00 a.m., and was seen leaving in a Sports Utility Vehicle, at about 7:55p.m.

It was gathered that the former governor was called for questioning over ongoing investigation into alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure.

“Former Governor Ortom is currently at our Makurdi zonal office in Benue State. He arrived at about 10:00 a.m., this morning, and he’s still there now. He was invited over an ongoing investigation concerning alleged misappropriation of funds during his term in office,” an impeccable source said.

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, was yet to react to the development as at press time.

The former governor could not be reached for comments, however, a statement by his media aide, Mr. Terver Akase, shortly before his release, said Ortom was not arrested by the anti-graft agency.

The statement notes: “Contrary to insinuations in some sections of the media, the immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, today (yesterday) visited the EFCC to honour invitation of the commission.

“Chief Ortom was neither arrested nor detained at the EFCC Zonal Headquarters in Makurdi. The former governor has repeatedly said he is available to respond to inquiries by anti-graft agencies, as he has nothing to hide regarding his stewardship in Benue State.”
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EFCC
Samuel Ortom