Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has allegedly acquired luxury vehicles worth N558.7 million for his aides and local government chairmen in the state.
According to Premium Times, Ortom got 13 new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs for commissioners in the state. The Prado SUVs cost N18.5million each. He also bought 43 new Toyota Corolla cars at the cost of N318.2 million, with each delivered at the cost of N7.4 million.
According to the provisions of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act, a state commissioner with an annual basic salary of N1.3 million is entitled to a vehicle loan of N5.3 million, representing 400 per cent of the basic income, repayable before the expiration of his or her tenure.
The act is the guide that stipulates the remuneration and other bonuses payable to public officials in Nigeria.
With the purchase of these vehicles, Ortom apparently violated the provisions of the act. Ever since his inauguration, Ortom has repeatedly accused former Governor, Gabriel Suswan of corruption.
Suswan was recently arraigned at the Federal High Court on charges of corruption and bribery.