Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has launched two judicial commissions of inquiry to investigate the tenure of former governor Samuel Ortom.

The commissions, inaugurated on Tuesday, include the Benue Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry 2024 and the Sale/Lease of Government Assets, Companies, and Markets (both State and LG Markets) Moribund Companies Commission of Inquiry 2024.

According to Vanguard, Governor Alia emphasized during the inauguration that the inquiry aims to uphold accountability, transparency, and good governance in the state.

The income and expenditure inquiry commission is chaired by Rtd. Justice Taiwo with Dr. Abraham Gberindyer as Secretary, while Rtd. Justice Appolos Idi leads the assets and moribund companies inquiry commission with John Edigbo as Secretary.

Governor Alia stated that the commissions would scrutinize Ortom’s eight-year tenure from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023, and are tasked to submit their reports within six months, in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Law (Cap 40) Laws of Benue State, 2004.

He underscored that the investigation aims to ensure prudent management of resources for the collective interest and development of the state.

The income and expenditure commission will examine the funds accrued to the state government, including loans, special interventions, internally generated revenue, and cases of financial mismanagement.

The assets and moribund companies commission will assess the sale or lease of government properties, companies, and markets during Ortom’s administration.

Governor Alia’s actions are reminiscent of former Governor Ortom’s probe of his predecessor, former Governor Gabriel Suswam, in 2015.