By Peter Duru, Makurdi

A Senior District Court sitting in Makurdi has ordered the Benue State Government to pay a judgment debt of approximately N57 million to former Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Terwase Orbunde, and 13 others who served under the immediate past administration of Samuel Ortom.

Presiding Judge Kevin Mbanongun, 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 Mr. Merga Kachina, the late Shima Ayati, Stephen Tyochir, Tsenongo Abacha, James Uloko, and Sam Unom.

The former officials had sued for the payment of severance gratuities allegedly approved in their appointment letters but left unpaid after they left office.

Their counsel, Barr. Ocha Ulegede, initiated the garnishee proceedings after the National Industrial Court in Makurdi delivered a summary judgment on December 13, 2024—a judgment the state government reportedly failed to honour.

Speaking after the court session, Mr. Agerzua described the ruling as “justice well served,” noting that several appeals had been made to relevant authorities. He added that the Ministry of Finance had reportedly approved funds toward the end of the Ortom administration, with many beneficiaries already settled.

Although the garnishee order was served on Fidelity Bank at about 1 p.m. yesterday, payment had not been effected as at the time of filing this report.

Source; Vanguard News