Benue news

Paul Hembah: EFCC quizzes Ortom’s aide over alleged N42m fraud

 

By Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Office have commenced investigations into allegations of misappropriation of funds to the tune of N42million involving an aide of governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.

The suspect, Paul Hembah, a retired Lieutenant Colonel and Special Adviser on Security Matters to the governor is said to have allegedly abused his office sometimes in July 12, 2019 when he transferred a sum of N42million from official account of the office of the Special Adviser on Security Matters (his office) to his personal bank account and withdrew same in cash same day.

The governor’s aide allegedly between October 2018 and May 2020 also abused his office by fraudulently paying the N20million monthly allocation meant for BSVG into personal account of the Commandant of the Group, George Mbessey instead of using the official account of the group.

The alleged offence, if established violates Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

Hembah, who was quizzed for over 6 hours on Wednesday has volunteered useful information to our investigators and would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded.

It would be recalled that, operatives of the EFCC on May 27, 2020 arrested the State Commandant of the Benue State Vigilante Group, George Mbessey in connection with alleged mismanagement of the N449.5million meant for the Benue State Vigilante Group, BSVG.

Treasure Orokpo

A multi-talented individual with a passion for diverse fields, Treasure Orokpo is a trained journalist, skilled cook, and AI enthusiast. When she's not uncovering the latest stories, you can find her whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen and entertainment.

Recent Posts

BREAKING: APC Crisis: Court of Appeal dismisses Moses Agaba’s appeal against Austin Agada

The Court of Appeal in Makurdi, Benue State, on Thursday dismissed an appeal filed by…

15 hours ago

BBNaija’s Phyna publicly rejects family, drops surname

Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Josephine Ijeoma Otabor, also known as Phyna, has publicly…

16 hours ago

Yemi Alade slams Cool FM, Clout Africa over blacklisting, refusal to forgive

Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has criticized prominent media outlets Cool FM and Clout Africa, accusing…

16 hours ago

BREAKING: Relief as Lakurawa terrorists flee Nigeria after military intervention

Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central, has announced that the Nigerian military successfully expelled the…

16 hours ago

BREAKING: Supreme Court nullifies National Lottery Act, grants states exclusive control

The Supreme Court has struck down the National Lottery Act of 2005, ruling that the…

17 hours ago

Latest update on fuel price hike, fuel scarcity for November 22nd, 2024

As Nigerians express their frustrations over the recent fuel price hikes by the Nigerian National…

22 hours ago