Judgment Debts Strain Benue Finances
The Benue State government is grappling with N3.6bn in judgment debts, a burden inherited from the previous administration led by Samuel Ortom. The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Fidelis Mnyim, confirmed this during a media briefing on Monday. He explained that consent judgments entered by the former government have led to the garnishment of the state’s accounts.
Court Orders Release of Garnished Funds
Mnyim disclosed that a court in Abuja recently unblocked N1.9bn from the state’s garnished accounts, two weeks after freezing the funds. Despite this partial relief, several other garnishee cases remain pending in court, including debts arising from agreements made in the final days of the Ortom administration. Mnyim expressed confidence that the current administration would eventually resolve these cases in its favour.
Garnishee Orders Plague Government Operations
Since the beginning of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration, the state has faced a series of garnishee orders. One such case involved N1.9bn, while another N800m order originated from Vandeikya Local Government Area. The ongoing garnishment of government accounts has hampered the state’s ability to operate smoothly and meet its financial obligations.
State vs. Local Government Funds
The commissioner highlighted a separate N900m garnishee case set for hearing in Jos, Plateau State. Mnyim argued that the state government should not be held responsible for local government debts, citing the Nigerian constitution and a Supreme Court ruling on the financial independence of local governments. He insisted that state government funds should not be garnished to settle local government obligations.
Ongoing Legal Battles
The Benue government continues to fight these financial battles in court, with Mnyim assuring the public that they are working to set aside all remaining garnishee orders. The commissioner reiterated that the current administration remains committed to restoring financial stability in the state, despite the challenges inherited from the previous government.
Impact of Ortom’s Administration
As legal proceedings continue, it is increasingly clear that agreements made under former Governor Ortom’s leadership directly caused the financial strain on Benue State. The Alia administration is determined to resolve these debts while efficiently managing state resources going forward.
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