More than 11 years after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Oklobia, over an alleged ₦3.1 billion fraud, the high-profile case remains unresolved amid repeated adjournments, judicial reassignments, and procedural delays.
Currently, before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the matter has become one of Nigeria’s longest-running corruption trials involving a former state governor.
The EFCC first arraigned Suswam and Oklobia on November 4, 2015, alleging money laundering and diversion of funds from the sale of Benue State Government shares in Dangote Cement Plc through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC). The agency claims the proceeds, amounting to ₦3.1 billion, were unlawfully diverted for personal use.
Over the years, the trial has suffered setbacks due to changes in judges, interlocutory applications, and appeals.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed initially handled the case but withdrew twice following allegations of bias, before it was reassigned to Justice Okon Abang and later returned to Justice Mohammed. His elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2023 led to a fresh reassignment to Justice Lifu.
Despite the EFCC closing its case after calling nine witnesses, including investigators, finance officials, and stockbrokers, the defence has yet to conclude.
Justice Lifu dismissed a no-case submission in July 2025, ruling that the defendants must enter their defence. However, proceedings have stalled, with multiple adjournments stretching into 2026.
Legal analysts argue that the prolonged trial underscores systemic challenges in Nigeria’s judiciary regarding corruption cases. Meanwhile, Suswam, who governed Benue State between 2007 and 2015, remains politically active and is reportedly contesting for a senatorial seat despite the pending charges.
The EFCC insists both defendants have questions to answer, while they continue to deny wrongdoing. With the matter now scheduled for further proceedings before Justice Lifu, public attention is fixed on whether the decade-long prosecution will finally conclude.
#SuswamTrial
#EFCC #NigeriaPolitics #CorruptionCase #BenueState #JudicialDelay #FraudTrial #NigeriaNews #CourtUpdate #PoliticalAccountability
All rights reserved. The content on this website, including text and other digital materials, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in part without the express written consent of The News Accelerator Network.
For advertising inquiries, news coverage, or press releases, please get in touch with us at
📧 thenewsacceleratornetwork@gmail.com
📞 08051017159
Kindly follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/thenewsaccelerator
You can also subscribe to our YouTube channels here:ucvelrc3winkz7tdmhmzarmqhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/sub_confirmation=1
Post a Comment