A Senior District Court sitting in Makurdi has ordered the Benue State Government to immediately pay a judgment debt of ₦57 million owed to former Chief of Staff, Terwase Orbunde, and 13 other officials who served under ex-Governor Samuel Ortom.

Delivering the ruling, Presiding Judge Kevin Mbanongun directed the Operational Manager of Fidelity Bank Plc to enforce the garnishee order and ensure full compliance within five hours of receiving the notice.

Justice Mbanongun issued a firm directive ordering Fidelity Bank to release the funds without delay, stressing that the garnishee order must be executed promptly.

Although the order was served on the bank at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, payment had not been released as at the time of filing this report.

The beneficiaries include former top government officials who served in various capacities under Governor Ortom. They are:

Senator Titus Zam
Simon Abua
Emmanuel Manger
Prof. Jonathan Uever
Dr. Mathew Mnyam
Tahav Agerzua
Shimataver Aondoakaa
Merga Kachina
The late Shima Ayati
Stephen Tyochir
Tsenongo Abacha
James Uloko
Sam Unom

Naijaonpoint understands that the former officials went to court seeking payment of their severance gratuities, which they alleged were approved in their appointment letters but remained unpaid after their tenure ended.

Their counsel, Barrister Ocha Ulegede, initiated the garnishee proceedings after the National Industrial Court in Makurdi delivered a summary judgment on December 13, 2024, in favour of the claimants.

Despite the judgment, the state government reportedly failed to release the funds, prompting the legal enforcement process.

Speaking shortly after the court session, one of the beneficiaries, Tahav Agerzua, praised the ruling, describing it as overdue justice.

“This is justice well served. We made several appeals to the relevant authorities. Toward the end of the Ortom administration, the Ministry of Finance reportedly approved funds, and many beneficiaries were already settled. Those of us left out simply sought fairness,” he said.

Agerzua added that the group resorted to legal action only after all internal efforts failed.

Although Fidelity Bank received the garnishee order, the payment had not been effected as at press time. Court officials said they are monitoring the situation in line with the judge’s directive.

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