On Tuesday, the State High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, dismissed a case filed by former governor Samuel Ortom.
The case contested a probe initiated by the current administration under Governor Hyacinth Alia, who established two panels in February 2024 to investigate Ortom’s management of state finances and assets during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
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Ortom had argued that his administration’s finances were already audited and reported to the Benue State House of Assembly by the Auditor General, as required by the 1999 Constitution.
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He also claimed that since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was already examining the same issues, the state’s additional panels constituted double jeopardy.
Ortom’s legal challenge named the Benue State Government, the Attorney General, and the Commission of Inquiry members as respondents, questioning their authority to investigate his administration.
Last week, Ortom sought to appeal the court’s earlier decision, with the ruling scheduled for Tuesday.
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Justice Tertsea Asue dismissed Ortom’s application for an extension of time to file his case, stating it was without merit.
The judge ruled that the case was statute-barred and that Ortom had failed to obtain the court’s permission before filing the originating motion.
Justice Asue noted that Ortom’s case, filed on May 31, was beyond the allowable time frame, as Governor Alia’s commission of inquiry was established on February 27.
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He clarified that the Public Officers Protection Law and court rules do not permit an extension of time for filing such actions.
Consequently, both the originating motion and the application for an extension were declared invalid for not adhering to due process.
