Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, Re-arraigned by EFCC Over Alleged N3 Billion Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for re-arraignment on charges related to an alleged N3 billion fraud.
Suswam, alongside former Commissioner for Finance in Benue, Omadachi Oklobia, faced 11-count charges, including theft, criminal breach of trust, illegal award of contracts, and money laundering, amounting to N3.1 billion, as per EFCC’s amended charges of 2020.
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The accusations revolve around the purported diversion of funds from Benue shares of Dangote Cement, intended for investment in Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd.
Having previously faced similar charges in November 2015, Suswam and Oklobia both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Defence lawyers, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN) and Paul Erokoro (SAN), sought bail for their clients, which was previously granted. The prosecution counsel, Leke Atolagbe, did not oppose the bail request.
Justice Peter Lifu granted bail and scheduled the next hearing for April 29.