Former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday morning presented himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Makurdi for questioning.

He was later released after about 10 hours of grilling by the anti-corruption body.

It was gathered that the ex-governor arrived at the office of the anti-graft agency at about 10:00 am in the company of some of his personal aides.

He was said to have been invited by the commission to answer to allegations relating to his eight years of stewardship as governor of the state.

The former governor had before leaving office promised to remain in the country for at least five months to answer any questions that might flow from his eight years of being on the saddle.

He also promised to present himself before anti-graft agencies if invited for questioning on any issue whatsoever.

Ortom had also enjoined his then appointees to make themselves available for questioning if invited saying “Anytime you are invited by the EFCC, don’t be afraid to go, as for me I am not a coward to run away from EFCC, if they come for me I will follow them.

“I have nothing to fear, I don’t have any investment in Europe, all I have are in this state. If anyone accuses me of committing any crime let the person come and show me.”

Though no official of the EFCC provided any information on the visit of the former governor at the time of this report (12:55 pm) the former governor was still in the confines of the office of the anti-graft agency in Makurdi.

After spending the entire day at the EFCC, the ex-governor was seen being driven out of the commission’s office in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), at about 7:55 pm.

He was accompanied by some friends and associates who had waited patiently at a nearby hotel for his release.

Though the former governor could not be reached for comments, a statement released shortly before his release yesterday evening by his media aide, Terver Akase, indicated that he was not arrested by the anti-graft agency.

In the statement, Akase explained that “contrary to insinuations in some sections of the media, the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom today visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to honour the invitation of the commission.

“Chief Ortom was neither arrested nor detained at the EFCC Zonal Headquarters in Makurdi.

“The former governor has repeatedly said that he is available to respond to inquiries by anti-graft agencies as he has nothing to hide regarding his stewardship of Benue State.”

Meanwhile, no EFCC official volunteered information on the ex-governor’s visit to the office.