Submit to EFCC, Ortom Advises Yahaya Bello

On Sunday, Samuel Ortom, the immediate past governor of Benue State, requested that Yahaya Bello, his counterpart in Kogi State, come out of hiding and present his case to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Bello has a long-standing dispute with the EFCC; the anti-graft agency filed N80.2 billion in fraud charges against him, and Bello neglected to appear for his arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja, leading to the agency declaring him wanted.

Bello was also placed on a watchlist by the Nigerian Immigration Service, which also mandated that he be taken into custody wherever he might be found.

It is currently unknown where he is.Speaking at a thanksgiving service organized by his aides for his 63rd birthday celebration at a Redeemed Christian Church of God in Makurdi, Benue State, Ortom counseled Bello to come out of hiding.

Bello’s prolonged absence, according to him, will make former governors across the nation look bad.”I want to use this opportunity to advise Governor Yahaya Bello, my younger brother and friend, not to disgrace former governors,” Ortom stated.

“You are not required to hide. You do not have to put up any resistance to the arrest. Proceed there and answer. The officials of the EFCC are people. The laws are in place if they are asking questions. I attempted to call him, but I was unsuccessful. I want this to be noted because I tried those who were around him and I was unable.

Thank God the press is here, he should come out, wherever he is and if he can hear me.Ortom and Ge were invited by the EFCC to visit the anti-graft agency’s Markudi office in June 2023, shortly after they left office in May 2023.

After answering questions from EFCC investigators, Ortom was allowed to leave.The former governor expressed gratitude to the people of Benue State for honoring him on his birthday and for supporting his administration during his eight years in office.Ortom urged the populace to constantly pray for their leaders, calling his two terms in office an uncomfortable task.

He said he was a better Christian when he left the government house and thanked God for His mercies over his life and family.The former governor exhorted young people to stop demeaning seniors on social media and to use the Internet to improve their lives and advance the state.”Avoid demeaning elders or leaders on social media.

In order to bring about progress, prosperity, and development, we must all participate in the peacekeeping effort.”Youths need to use social media to their advantage and the state’s,” he declared.