N3.1bn: EFCC re-arrest of Suswam stalls trial

The re-arrest and detention of former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC (EFCC) has stalled the N3.1bn corruption trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Suswam and former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia are facing nine count charges of money laundering involving the sum of N3.1 billion Benue State government fund.

At the resumed hearing, defence counsel Elizabeth Ogbozor told the court that Suswam has just come out of EFCC cell after six days and has faced incessant arrests and detention.

She said the senior defence counsel in the matter, Joseph Daudu (SAN) had scheduled to appear at a Court of Appeal because of the ex-governor’s detention.

“We have been at a loss as to the direction of this trial because the defendant (Suswam) had been in the custody of EFCC in the past six days. It is a big surprise to us to see Suswam in court this morning because we are unaware of his release on Wednesday night,” she said.

EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), admitted that Suswam was detained by the anti-graft agency based on another money paid to him by former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke for the PDP in the 2015 general election in Benue State.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed initially stood down the matter for four hours to enable the lead defence counsel appear in court, but later adjourned it to November 22.