Benue Commission issues fresh summons to Senator Zam, three others

The Benue State Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry for 2024 has issued a fresh summons to Chief Titus Tartenger Zam, who was the former Special Adviser to the former Governor of Benue State on the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, alongside three other key officials from the Bureau.

Zam, now a Senator, who served the State from 2015 to 2018, is among those required to appear before the Commission, alongside Emmanuel Ikpe, the Permanent Secretary of the Bureau from 2015 to 2017; Anzem Titus, the former Director of Monitoring and Inspection; and Geofrey Iorhemba, the former cashier of the Bureau.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo (rtd.), Chairman of the Commission, directed the four individuals to appear on December 18, 2024, at 10:00 AM.

This summons followed the failure of the Senator to attend previous sittings of the Commission, despite being notified to appear.

During the Commission’s session on Monday, November 25, 2024, Justice Taiwo expressed his displeasure over the absence of Senator Zam and the others.

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“All past Special Advisers and those invited must be here; otherwise, we cannot proceed with the Bureau in the circumstances. I apologise for the inconvenience of those before us today, but we cannot continue until everyone is present,” he stated.

The Commission Chairman further emphasised that this would be the final opportunity for the individuals to appear, warning that failure to attend would lead to enforcement of the law, including sanctions such as the issuance of warrants and fines for each day of non-compliance.

“For the last time, we are adjourning until December 18, 2024. There are critical individuals whose testimonies are essential, and the Commission cannot move forward without them,” he stressed.

Justice Taiwo reiterated that the Commission would not proceed with any further proceedings as it relates to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, unless all those invited appear on the rescheduled date.