Olusegun Ariyo
A senior district court sitting in Makurdi has ordered the Benue State Government to pay about N57 million to the former chief of staff to the Governor, Mr Terwase Orbunde, and 13 others who served under the administration of former Governor Samuel Ortom.
Presiding Judge Kevin Mbanongun, who gave the order on November 5, 2025, directed the Operational Manager of Fidelity Bank Plc to enforce the garnishee order and ensure full compliance within five hours of being served.
Those listed to benefit from the ruling include Senator Titus Zam, Simon Abua, Emmanuel Manger, Prof. Jonathan Uever, Dr. Mathew Mnyam, Tahav Agerzua, and Shimataver Aondoakaa. Others are Merga Kachina, the late Shima Ayati, Stephen Tyochir, Tsenongo Abacha, James Uloko, and Sam Unom.
The former officials had dragged the state government to court over the non-payment of their severance gratuities, which they claimed were approved in their appointment letters but remained unpaid after they left office.
Their counsel, Barrister Ocha Ulegede, initiated the garnishee proceedings after the National Industrial Court in Makurdi delivered a summary judgment on December 13, 2024, which the government reportedly failed to honour.
Speaking after the court session, one of the beneficiaries, Mr Tahav Agerzua, described the ruling as “justice well served,” noting that several appeals had earlier been made to relevant authorities to settle the entitlements.
He explained that the Ministry of Finance had approved the payment towards the end of the Ortom administration, and some beneficiaries were already paid before the process was halted.
