Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday adjourned the trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Okolobia, until July 16, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses, bringing the 11-year-old case closer to conclusion.
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The duo is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged theft, criminal breach of trust, illegal award of contracts, and money laundering involving N3.1 billion, said to be proceeds from the sale of the Benue State Government’s shares in Benue Cement Company.
According to the EFCC, the alleged fraud was perpetrated through Elixir Securities Ltd and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
During the trial, the prosecution called nine witnesses, while Suswam was the only witness who testified in defence.
The case, which began in November 2015, has passed through several judges following transfers and elevations to the Court of Appeal. It was initially assigned to Justice Ahmed Mohammed, later moved to Justice Okon Abang, returned to Justice Mohammed after a Court of Appeal ruling, and was eventually reassigned to Justice Peter Lifu after Justice Mohammed’s elevation to the appellate court.
Following the defendants’ re-arraignment before Justice Lifu, both Suswam and Okolobia filed a no-case submission after the prosecution closed its case. However, on July 23, 2025, Justice Lifu dismissed the application, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring the defendants to enter their defence.
The defence opened its case on October 10, 2025, and with the matter now fixed for the adoption of final written addresses on July 16, 2026, the long-running trial is entering its final stage.
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