Ortom’s aide asks Suswam, indicted persons to return looted funds

• Governor appoints acting SSG

Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom on Media and ICT, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, has advised the former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, that rather than condemning the current administration in the state, he should return the funds allegedly looted by his regime.

He said Suswam should lead 52 other persons indicted by Justice Elizabeth Kpojime-led judicial commission to return the N107 billion looted during his administration.

Agerzua, who stated this at the weekend in a statement made available to The Guardian, said if the money was returned it would be used to pay salary arrears of workers and pensioners as well as address the lack of infrastructure in the state.

But reacting to the statement Suswam’s former media assistant, Joseph Anawa, said the ex-governor had earlier ignored the commission’s report.

Agerzua pointed out that with only N10 billion, the administration has asked all the contractors handling 12 abandoned roads across the state to return to site with work going on.

Meanwhile, Governor Ortom has approved the appointment of Dr. Bem Melladu as the Acting Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Dr. Melladu, until his new appointment was Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Investment.