Ortom VS Ikyange : Ex-Benue Speaker enters defense in suit against governor

A Makurdi High Court Friday adjourned to April 28,2021, for adoption of the final addresses in the N1 billion libel suit instituted by Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, against Mr Terkimbi Ikyange.

Governor Samuel Ortom dragged the former speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly to court for his comments in the press conference of Monday July 30, 2018.

Ikyange in the press conference accused Governor Ortom of deducting N50 million monthly from each of the 23 local government area of the state and the same amount amounted to the tune of N33 billion.

The former speaker also accused the Benue State governor of diverting security vote amounting to N23 billion.

When the case resumed Wednesday, the former Speaker who was led in evidence by his lawyer, Sunday Akoh adopted his previous statements and maintained that he was the speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly as at the time he made those comments against Governor Ortom.

Asked Under cross- examination by Governor Ortom’s counsel, Mr Samuel Irabor, if Security vote to the governor passes through his office, Mr Ikyange said security vote to the governor’s office does not pass through his office.

He also agreed that spending and retirement of security vote does not pass through his office.

When Asked if there was a judgment confirming his impeachment as speaker, Mr Ikyange agreed that there was judgment confirming his impeachment on July 24,2018.

Irabor asked the former speaker isnhe appealed the judgement, the former speaker said he didn’t appeal the judgement the confirmed his impeachment.

The former speaker also agreed that he was suspended as a member of the Benue State House of Assembly.

Still under cross-examination, Mr Irabor asked Mr Ikyange if he was a member of the Joint Allocation Account Meeting, JAAC, where allocation to various local governments government funds are disbursed, Mr Ikyange said he was not a member of the JAAC meeting.

After listening to the former speaker’s response to the questions from Governor Ortom’s lawyer under cross examination, the trial Judge, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman adjourned the matter to April 28,2021 for adoption of final addresses,after which the court will adjourn for judgement.

By David Mzer