Judge Orders Former Benue Governor to Defend Allegations in N3.1bn Trial

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Oklobia, must open their defence in the ongoing trial over an alleged ₦3.1 billion financial misconduct.

Delivering ruling on a no-case submission filed by the defendants, Justice Peter Lifu held that the prosecution, led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has established a prima facie case linking the accused persons to the charges.

Justice Lifu stated that the evidence presented by the prosecution is legally admissible and requires explanation by the defendants.

Accordingly, the court dismissed the application filed under Sections 302 and 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which sought to terminate the proceedings at the close of the prosecution’s case.

“The prosecution has placed before the court legally admissible evidence linking the two defendants to the allegations. The defendants’ no-case submission is refused, and they are called upon to open their defence,” the judge ruled.

The court adjourned the matter to September 22 and 26, 2025, for the continuation of trial.

Suswam and Oklobia are standing trial on an 11-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, and criminal breach of trust in relation to the alleged diversion of ₦3.1 billion derived from the sale of Benue State government shares.

The funds were managed by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) and allegedly laundered through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.

The prosecution, represented by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, argued that the evidence tendered directly linked the defendants to the illicit transactions, justifying the continuation of the trial.

The legal proceedings, which began in 2015, have experienced multiple reassignments due to judicial recusals and elevations.

The case was initially assigned to Justice Ahmed Mohammed, later reassigned to Justice Okon Abang, and eventually returned to Justice Mohammed following a ruling by the Court of Appeal.

Upon his elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2023, the matter was reassigned to Justice Peter Lifu, under whose purview the current trial is proceeding.

The defendants have maintained their not-guilty plea and continue to enjoy the bail conditions previously granted.

The trial will resume in September, where the defence is expected to present its case in response to the prosecution’s allegations.