N3.1bn fraud: EFCC wants witness against Suswam declared ‘hostile’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to declare its witness in the trial of former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam as hostile due to inconsistencies in his testimony.

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

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) begged the trial judge to declare the witness, Abubakar Umar, a Bureau De Change operator hostile, so as to enable him cross-examine the witness for a second time.

Umar had on May 5, 2017, narrated before the court how he helped the former governor to convert N3.111billion into dollars between August and October 2014.

Umar who is the 4th Prosecution witness, had said he converted the money which he said amounted to $15.8million, and took same to Suswam at the Government House in Makurdi.

However, the prosecuting lawyer said Umar had in his extrajudicial statement before the EFCC said the converted money was handed to Suswam at his Maitama residence in Abuja.

Defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) did not object to the application but cautioned the prosecution to focus only on the issue of inconsistency in the witness’ testimony.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned the case to December 11 for hearing.