Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bashkir Makama Thursday, said nine persons out of the 52 indicted by the Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Commission of Inquiry had been arrested.
Makana said the arrest was made in conjunction with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, adding that they were detained at the State Police Headquarters, Makurdi, before being taken to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation and subsequent prosecution.
He said, “It is part of the process to recover the alleged N107 bn looted from the Benue State treasury by 52 individuals and 10 corporate organisations in the last administration as reported to the anti-graft agency by Governor Samuel Ortom.’’
The police listed those arrested to include former Governor Gabriel Suswam’s Special Adviser, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Solomon Wombo, a former Permanent Secretary of the bureau, Mr. Asen Sambe, and the accountant, Mr. Isaiah Ipevnor.
Others were Janet Aluga, Moses Detso, Peter Ochoga, James Gera, Aorga Emmanuel and a former Legal Adviser of the Benue Investment and Property Company, Mr. John Tyokegh.
However, Wombo reported himself to the police at the Force Headquarters in Abuja where he is currently being detained.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa, while confirming the arrests, stated that the Ortom administration would do everything legally possible to recover the allegedly looted funds.
