A Makurdi Senior District Court 1, presided over by Kevin Mbanongun, has ordered the Benue State Government to pay the sum of N57million to Terwase Orbunde, a former chief of staff to immediate-past governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, and 13 others, as judgment creditors.
The judge gave the order to the operational manager of Fidelity Bank Plc, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, while ruling on garnishee proceedings to activate immediate compliance within five hours from the date of service.
Beneficiaries of the order include Senator Titus Zam, Simon Abua, Emmanuel Manger, Professor Jonathan Uever, Dr Mathew Mnyam,Tahav Agerzua and Shimataver Aondoakaa.
Others include Barrister Merga Kachina, Shima Ayati, Stephen Tyochir, Tsenongo Abancha, James Uloko and Sam Unom.
The beneficiaries who served in various capacities during the Ortom administration had sued for the payment of their severance gratuities as contained in their letters of appointment.
Their counsel, Barr. Ocha Ulegede filed the garnishee proceedings following the summary judgment delivered by the National Industrial Court, Makurdi, on December 13, 2024, which had not been complied with.
One of the judgement creditors, Agerzua, said the case was the last resort after failure of the appropriate authority to pay the approved funds as approved at the terminal point of the Ortom administration to entitled officials.
