N41b Compensation: I’m Not Involved - Benue Gov.

John Akpodovhan, Makurdi - 15.03.2008

Benue State Governor, Hon. Gabriel Suswam, yesterday washed his hands off the confrontational approach of Mr Alexander Gaadi, President, Benue Development Movement (BDM), over the 41 billion naira compensation granted victims of the military invasion of some parts of the state in 2001 by an Enugu High Court.

The governor, who made the remark while addressing newsmen at his office in Makurdi, described the BDM president’s intention as not genuine, for not joining the victims as co-litigants in the issue, pointing out that Gaadi went to court in his personal capacity.

“Gaadi has the locus standi as a Tiv person, but he was not a direct victim of that attack. I do not agree with the approach of Gaadi on the issue,” he said.

He added that they should not turn the pains and agony of others into a profit-making venture, adding that the victims should be part and parcel of the quest for the compensation.

“We should not make profit out of the pains and agony of others. The people who are the direct victims should be part and parcel of the case,” he said, wondering why they were not part of the litigation.

He added: “If the people are not part of it, it is fraud. I do not think his intention is genuine. There is no genuine intention in the whole issue, and as such, I am not part of it.”

Suswam, who expressed his misgivings on the intentions of the leadership of BDM, lamented Gaadi’s introduction of blackmail and confrontational stance against the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa.

He said that his administration was contented with the apology offered by the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Luka Yusuf, during the Army Chief of Staff conference held last year at the Tarka Foundation, Makurdi, on the military invasion of 2001.