EFCC quizzes Ortom’s Security aide, Hembah over alledged N42 million fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives have arrested Governor Samuel Ortom’s aide, Lieutenant Col. Paul Hembah (Rtd) on alledged misapproriation of funds to the tune of N42 million.

The Makurdi Zonal command of the EFCC said investigations into the allegation has commenced.

The suspect, Paul Hembah, is a Special Adviser on Security Matters to the governor who was 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 N42 million was meant for disbursement to Benue State Vigilante Group, (BSVG).

The suspect also transferred the monthly allocation of N20 million into the account of the Commandant of the group, George Mbessey instead of using the official account of the group between October, 2018 to 2020.

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 the EFCC 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.