Former governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, Sunday, advised immediate past governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello to honour invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Ortom who described Bello as friend and younger brother, said his going into hiding after being invited by the anti-graft agency could be an embarrassment to his colleagues and former governors who served their various states and left government.

Ortom, who spoke at his 63rd birthday thanksgiving at RCCG in Makurdi said: “Let me use this opportunity and advise my friend and junior brother, Yahaya Bello, not to disgrace his colleague former governors. If you are called to go and give account of your stewardship, go there, you don’t need to hide, you don’t need to run or resist any arrest, go there and explain yourself.

“EFCC personnel are human beings, so if they seek to make inquiry, go there. The laws are there to protect you.

“I tried to get him on phone, I tried the contacts of those around him to speak with him, but I couldn’t reach him. So, I want this to be noted. That is why I am saying this, maybe he will hear me there.”

Ortom also urged his appointees to attend to any official invitation made for them to explain things and clear air about their various offices while serving in his administration. 

He said when he was governor, he had always emphasised that, “if you chop money, money will chop you.”
He noted that he is ready to honour invitation from anti graft agencies and any probe panel and will want anybody that served in his government to do same and not be afraid adding that there is no need to be afraid if your mind and records are clear.

“When I was governor, I always warned my appointees against engaging in fraudulent activities and always emphasised that if you chop money will chop you.

“If you are invited to attend to any issue of probe, don’t be afraid, go there and explain yourselves.

“When I was in office, I told you that I will not be part of anything that will make me after tenure, start running to EFCC here and there. So I will honour any invitation from EFCC or any probe panel, if I am invited,” he said.