Ortom: Transport Company Petitions Benue Govt Over 32 Seized Vehicle, Demands N5 Billion

The management of London Line Transport Company Limited has petitioned Benue State Governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, over 32 seized vehicles from its premises last Tuesday.

Naija News understands that the company is demanding the return of its impounded vehicles and N5 billion in damages from the Benue governor.

Recall that an asset recovery committee, headed by Hinga Biem had last Tuesday stormed the premises of the petitioner, believed to be an automobile company that belonged to the immediate governor, Samuel Ortom.

The committee allegedly carted away 32 vehicles believed to be owned by Ortom.

Alia had vowed to recover all ‘stolen’ state assets, as his government alleged that Ortom, at the end of his tenure, went away with 29 vehicles belonging to the state.

In the petition dated July 14, the Chief Executive Officer of London Line Transport Company Limited, Emmanual Viashima, claimed ownership of the impounded vehicles and demanded N5 billion damages for the alleged forceful invasion of his facility.

In the petition copied to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, National Human Rights Commission; Inspector General of Police; Commissioner of Police, Benue State; Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association; the Assets Recovery Committee, and the Tor Tiv, Viashima claimed the impounded vehicles didn’t belong to Ortom.

While alleging the asset recovery committee members harassed his workers, he gave out names of owners of the seized vehicles, including Ortom and his wife, Eunice, a traditional ruler, and some aides of the former governor.

Viashima also complained about how the committee’s members destroyed his wife’s car in their attempt to cart away the other vehicles.

He noted that “Upon being informed of the development, I rushed to the scene to make sense out of the entire chaotic scenario, and to my utter disbelief, I was locked out of the premises and refused entry.

“At the moment, the company is already experiencing immediate consequences and direct fallout of the negative publicity as a result of the invasion.

“Contrary to claims by the Assets Recovery Committee that 30 vehicles were towed away from the company’s premises, the number of vehicles forcefully taken away from the company by the committee is 32.

“Your Excellency, it is in the light of the foregoing that I petition your good office to look into the issues I have raised herein with the mindset to erase the erroneous impression created in the minds of the public.

“Order a release of the vehicles seized as well as payment of N5bn damages by the Benue State Goverment in view of the economic impact of my losses to enable me mitigate the said losses and jump-start my crumbled business.”