JUST IN: Court Issues Restraining Order Against Alia’s from Investigating Former Benue Gov Ortom
- A Benue state high court in Makurdi has halted Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commission of inquiry from probing ex-governor, Samuel Ortom
- Governor Alia initiated two judicial commissions of inquiry in February to examine the Benue State Government’s funds
- Justice T. T. Asua, halted the investigation based on an ex parte application by Ortom’s lawyer, Oba Maduabuchi (SAN)
FCT, Abuja-A Benue state high court in Makurdi has restrained the commission of inquiry established by Governor Hyacinth Alia from investigating his predecessor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday, May 29.
The court ruled that the investigation must be paused until the resolution of a lawsuit filed by Ortom challenging the probe of his administration.
Court stops gov Alia from investing Ortom
Photo credits: Hyacinth Alia, Muhajer SemanSource: Facebook
The governor had initiated two judicial commissions of inquiry in February to examine the Benue state government’s funds (income and expenditure) from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023, during Ortom’s tenure.
Benue: Basis for the high court ruling
However, Justice T. T. Asua, in a ruling, halted the investigation following an ex parte application presented by Ortom’s lawyer, Oba Maduabuchi (SAN).
As reported by The Punch, Maduabuchi informed the court that the auditor general had already investigated, audited, and certified the accounts of the Benue state government under Ortom, submitting the reports to the Benue State House of Assembly as authorized by the amended 1999 constitution.
He added that the house of assembly had acted on the auditor general’s report, Daily Post reported.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the auditor general’s report had been published in several Benue state gazettes, which are public documents.
Given these circumstances, Maduabuchi argued that Alia lacked the authority to establish panels to probe Ortom, Justice Asua granted the motion as requested.
Court orders removal of Sanusi from palace
In a related development, a federal high court has ordered the removal of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II from Kofar Kudu Palace.
TheTalk.NG reported that there have been legal tussles in the last few days over the legality of who occupies the position of Emir of Kano between the former Central Bank Governor Muhammadu Sanusi II and Dr Aminu Ado Bayero.
On Tuesday, May 28, the federal high court presiding judge, Justice S. A. Amobeda, who gave the exparte order, said it was granted in the interest of justice and maintaining peace in Kano state.
Source: TheTalk.NG
