Benue State House of Assembly has constituted an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the increasing garnishee orders against the accounts of the state government and local government councils.
The House took the decision following a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Honourable Peter Ipusu, during Thursday’s plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alfred Emberga, and held at the hallowed chamber of the Benue State House of Assembly, Makurdi.
Hon. Ipusu, who raised concerns over the effect of garnishee orders on governance and development across the state, stated that government activities were funded through the Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC), special allocations, Value Added Tax (VAT), Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), aid and grants, as well as transfers from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) to the Consolidated Development Fund (CDF).
He stated that these revenue sources were essential for financing recurrent and capital expenditure in line with approved budgets, and warned that indiscriminate garnishee orders could undermine the government’s ability to meet its financial obligations and execute development programmes.
Hon. Ipusu alleged that some government officials might be conniving with contractors to obtain garnishee orders against government accounts, and described such a practice as unpatriotic and detrimental to effective administration at both the state and local government levels.
Seconding the motion, the member representing Tiev State Constituency, Hon. Matthew Damkor, said that garnishee orders were affecting development. He added that if the issue was not critically investigated to find a solution, its effect would continue to be regrettable.
Contributing, the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Abu Umoru, called for the invitation of the Director of Garnishee to explain the circumstances surrounding the orders. He further expressed concern that there could be collusion to obtain government funds through garnishee proceedings.
On his part, the member representing Kyan State Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Shimawua, described the alleged practice as an act of sabotage.
The member representing Otukpo/Akpa State Constituencies, Hon. Kennedy Angbo, called on the committee to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover suspicious dealings surrounding garnishee orders in the state.
Also, the member representing Agasha State Constituency, Hon. William Ortyom, urged caution in attributing the development to conspiracy while arguing that the government should honour its contractual obligations to minimise situations in which contractors were compelled to seek court orders for payment.
Hon. Ortyom expressed concern about the monetary jurisdiction of lower courts in Benue, and noted that certain lower courts in jurisdictions such as Lagos, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory had limits on the amount they could order through garnishee proceedings.
Ruling, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alfred Emberga, constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the garnishee orders and determine the status of judgment debts against the state and local government councils.
Emberga said that the committee comprised Hon. Peter Ipusu as Chairman, Hon. Abu Umoru, Hon. Kennedy Angbo, Hon. Matthew Damkor and Hon. Simon Gabo as members, with Mrs. Wandoo Aondoana as Secretary.
The Speaker gave the committee 14 days to submit its report for House consideration and resolution.
