Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja
Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, on Thursday lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for arresting and investigating the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Terkimbir Ikyange, and three principal officers of the assembly.
Ortom spoke with State House correspondents shortly after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The principal officers of the assembly were invited to Abuja on Tuesday over alleged misappropriation of N750m meant for the purchase of cars for members.
Others invited by the commission included the Deputy Speaker, James Okefe; and the Majority Leader, Benjamin Adanyi.
While lauding the EFCC over the development, the governor said his government would never shield anybody who is found to be corrupt or wanting.
He said, “Yes, it (the arrest of the lawmakers) is a good thing, it is part of the process. They are under investigation by the EFCC.
“From day one, I brought up a slogan that ‘if you chop money, money will chop you’. We have to be careful and I have sent signals to all that nobody is above the law.
“If you do it wrong, you will go your own way. As far as I am concerned, they are under
investigation. Let us see the outcome we would have.
investigation. Let us see the outcome we would have.
“As far as I am concerned, my government will not shield anybody who is corrupt and who is found wanting. Myself as governor and every other lieutenants are open to scrutiny; there is Freedom of Information Bill and people are allowed to get information from these sources.”
The governor however warned against peddling false information against government officials.
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