The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on Sunday, asked his counterpart in Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to come out of his hiding and answer his case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC is investigating Bello and has declared him wanted after the former governor failed to show up for arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the anti-graft agency filed N80.2bn fraud charges against him.

During a public event at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Makurdi, Benue State, the immediate past governor, Samuel Ortom, made a public call for his counterpart, Governor Yahaya Bello, to come forward and address the charges against him.

Ortom, in a stern warning, stated that Governor Bello’s continued evasion of the charges would not only bring disgrace to former governors across the country but also escalate the seriousness of the situation.

Ortom said, “I want to use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, Governor Yahaya Bello, not to disgrace former governors.

“You don’t need to hide. You don’t need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and respond. The EFCC (officials) are human beings. If they are making inquiries, the laws are there. 

“I have tried to get him on the phone, but I could not. I have tried those around him, but I could not, so I want this to be noted. Wherever he is, if he can hear me, thank God the press is here; he should come out.”

Recall that shortly after leaving office in May 2023, the EFCC invited Ortom, and he visited the Markudi office of the anti-graft agency in June 2023.

Ortom was released to go after being quizzed by EFCC investigators.