Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Wednesday that former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswan, must answer to charges concerning the alleged diversion of N3.1 billion in public funds.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed this in a statement following the court’s dismissal of the no-case submission filed by Suswan and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia. The judge ordered both defendants to open their defence.
Suswan and Okolobia are being tried on an 11-count amended charge related to the alleged misappropriation of N3.1 billion, reportedly proceeds from the sale of Benue State-owned shares managed by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.
The transactions in question were allegedly conducted through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
During the previous hearing, the prosecution had closed its case after presenting nine witnesses. The defence responded by filing a no-case submission, arguing there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
However, in his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, requiring the defendants to respond to the allegations.
