Suswam loses no-case bid, to enter defence in N3.1bn ‘fraud’ trial

Suswam loses no-case bid, to enter defence in N3.1bn ‘fraud’ trial

 A federal high court in Abuja has ruled that Gabriel Suswam,
former governor of Benue state, has a case to answer in the N3.1 billion fraud
charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC).

 

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Peter Lifu, the
presiding judge, dismissed the no-case submission filed by Suswam and his
co-defendant, Omadachi Okolobia, who served as finance commissioner during his
tenure.

 

The judge held that the EFCC had established a prima facie
case, requiring the defendants to present their defence.

 

“Upon perusing the evidence before the court, I am mindful
to hold that the defendants have some explanation to offer in the interest of
fair hearing,” the judge said.

 

 

“The prosecution has placed before the court legally
admissible evidence linking the two defendants to the allegations.

 

“They need to throw some light on the allegations because a
prima face case has been established against them.

 

“The defendants’ no-case submission is refused and they are
called upon to open their defence.”

 

 

The matter has been adjourned to September 22 and 26 for the
defendants to enter their defence.

 

BACKGROUND

 

Suswam and Okolobia were first arraigned in 2015 on an
11-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust.

 

The EFCC alleged that they diverted N3.1 billion from the
sale of Benue state’s shares in various companies, managed by the Benue
Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC).

 

 

The funds were allegedly laundered through Elixir Securities
Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.

 

The case has suffered multiple delays. Initially assigned to
Ahmed Mohammed, the matter stalled after the judge recused himself over
allegations of bias.

 

The case was then transferred to Okon Abang, but Suswam
challenged the court’s jurisdiction. In February 2020, the court of appeal
ordered a return of the case to Mohammed.

 

After the EFCC concluded its prosecution before Mohammed,
the trial was expected to proceed with the defence.

 

However, the judge was elevated to the court of appeal in
2023, prompting the case to be reassigned to Lifu. As a result, Suswam and Okolobia
were re-arraigned and the case started afresh.

 

With Wednesday’s ruling, the trial is now set to move into
the defence phase, nearly a decade after it began.

Source: Suswam loses no-case bid, to enter defence in N3.1bn ‘fraud’ trial

 - NigerianEye
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