In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Terver Akase said, “The plunder of Benue’s resources under the previous administration is a matter which has drawn condemnation from majority of the people of the state who have made repeated calls on Governor Samuel Ortom to ensure that the stolen funds are not only recovered but also that those indicted by the Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Judicial Commission of Inquiry are prosecuted”. It said in October last year, stakeholders from different walks of life met and gave Governor Ortom their support to probe the handling of funds by the immediate past administration. The stakeholders repeated their call on the governor during another forum in April this year when they urged him to ensure that looters of the state resources are brought to justice. The statement noted that during the recently concluded town hall meetings by the governor across the state, the people were unanimous in their demand for the recovery of the looted funds. “The Ortom administration does not need to sponsor youths to stage protests against anti-graft agencies to get them to do their work. The present administration in Benue State believes in due process and the independence of all agencies of government in carrying out their functions without interference, and it will not incite the people against institutions of the state,” it stated. It further said that if the Benue youths choose to call on the anti-corruption commission to commence the prosecution of former Governor Suswam and the other indicted persons, they are probably doing so out of their conviction that great injustice was done to the state.]]>