Court Orders Benue Govt to Pay Orbunde, Zam, Abua, Others N57m

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

A Makurdi Senior District Court 1, presided over by Kevin Mbanongun Esq., has ordered the Benue State Government to pay about N57 million to Hon. Terwase Orbunde, former Chief of Staff to the Governor of Benue State, and 13 others as judgment creditors.

The court, in a ruling delivered on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, directed the Operational Manager of Fidelity Bank Plc to ensure immediate compliance with the garnishee order within five hours of service.

The beneficiaries of the judgment include Senator Titus Zam, Simon Abua, Emmanuel Manger, Professor Jonathan Uever, Dr. Mathew Mnyam, Tahav Agerzua, and Shimataver Aondoakaa.

Others are Barrister Merga Kachina, Shima Ayati, Stephen Tyochir, Tsenongo Abacha, James Uloko, and Sam Unom.

The affected individuals, who served in various capacities during the immediate past administration of Governor Samuel Ortom, had sued the state government for payment of their severance gratuities as stipulated in their letters of appointment.

Their counsel, Barrister Ocha Ulegede, filed the garnishee proceedings following a summary judgment earlier delivered by the National Industrial Court, Makurdi, on December 13, 2024, which the government had yet to comply with.

One of the judgment creditors, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, who was present in court, described the ruling as “justice well served” and expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to achieving the outcome.

He explained that the legal action became necessary after several appeals to the authorities to authorize payment failed, even though the Ministry of Finance had released the approved funds towards the end of the Ortom administration and several other beneficiaries had already been paid.

As of the time of filing this report, the court order, served on Fidelity Bank around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, had yet to be effected.