Godwin Akor, Makurdi
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Mr. Terver Akase, says his principal had no hand in the demolition of houses behind Mid-Way Inn, Logo 1, in Makurdi.
Mr. Akase made the clarification today at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi, while briefing the press on the allegation made via social media that the governor ordered the demolition because he has acquired the property in the area.
He described the allegation as ‘not only false but mischievous and unfortunate’, wondering why those behind the falsehood chose to smear the name and office of the governor.
According to Mr. Akase, Governor Ortom did not know the owner of the property as the person was not related to the governor in anyway.
He regretted the situation where youths take undue advantage of the social media to run their leaders down, asking the persons peddling the rumour to apologize or face the wrath of the law.
“We find as unacceptable and unfortunate, the story that Governor Ortom has ordered the demolition of a property at Logo1 in Makurdi, what do they hope to achieve with the baseless allegation if not for political purposes.
“There is no such thing, it is false, mischievous and malicious for those who are spreading the rumour, the governor has no hand in the demolition.” Akase said.
He explained that the person who carried out that demolition secured a court order which permitted him to take over his property and he went with the police to carry out the demolition.
He said the rumour was distasteful and that those who are spreading same should retract it and tender an apology to Benue State Government for maligning the person and office of the governor because the law will certainly take its course.
Evidence obtained from the court shows that the said demolition was carried out by the family of Har Gyuse (from Vandeikya) who are enforcing a judgement delivered in their favour by Justice Kpojime in 2013.
In the land case in question, Har Gyuse and members of Logo 1 community were in dispute over ownership of the land. Gyuse tendered a C of O of the land issued to him by the Military Administration in Benue in 1989. Yesterday’s demolition was therefore the enforcement of the court order in favour of Har Gyuse which judgment the community reportedly did not even appeal.
