Group tells Hinga Biem, others on Alia’s committee to return assets

By Our Reporter.

A group known as Defenders of Democracy (DoD) has urged the Governor of Benue state Hyacinth Alia to prove that he is sincere and recover the assets of members of the Assets Recovery Committee he recently set up, most of who are former public office holders.

In a statement signed by its Coordinator in Benue State, Comrade Amos Achiv, DoD said Governor Alia ought to know that those he inaugurated in the committee are individuals who are of questionable character and as such lack the rectitude to accuse others.

It questioned the integrity of Governor Alia’s committee when the chairman and members own property worth billions of naira and still drive expensive vehicles which they acquired while occupying government offices.

The group particularly demands that the chairman of the assets recovery committee, Mr Hinga Biem should recuse himself from the committee, saying that the former permanent secretary, bureau of internal affairs and special services is yet to clear his name on why he was arrested by DSS in 2017.

DoD also said the chief of staff to the governor, Mr Paul Biam is still driving vehicles that he got from the state government when he was in the House of Assembly and should return the cars to the government before he can probe others over ownership assets.

The group said other members of the assets recovery committee who should be made to return the property they took from government when they were in office are the former Speaker Terkimbi Ikyange, Prof Eugene Aliegba, BarristerJoe Abaagu, Nick Eworo, Joe Ojobo, Ioryue Yajir, Dennis Akura among others.

It emphasized that governance is serious business, not a bonanza or picnic where people are invited to come for fun.

The group reminded Governor Alia of the promise he made before the 2023 election that he will end all problems facing Benue people, if he was elected.

“Rev Fr Alia made many promises to us when he was campaigning, but so far, what we have seen is disappointing. After three weeks, there is no real sense of direction. It seems the man is simply satisfied with being addressed as His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Governor Hyacinth Alia and nothing more”, the group concluded.

DoD also reminded governor Alia of his promises to pay salaries on the 25th of every month; to clear the backlog of salaries, pensions and gratuity and also return internally displaced people to their ancestral homes within his first 100 days in office.