Former State Governor of Food Basket of the Nation (Benue), Gabriel Suswan, has been ordered to open his defence in the N3.1 billion fraud trial brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, dismissed a no-case submission filed by Suswan and his former Commissioner of Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, ruling that both have questions to answer.
Suswan and Okolobia are standing trial on an 11-count amended charge involving the alleged diversion of N3.1 billion. The funds are said to be part of the proceeds from shares owned by the Benue State Government and managed through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited. The funds were allegedly laundered through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
During the previous sitting, the EFCC closed its case after calling nine witnesses and tendering various exhibits. The defence responded by filing a no-case submission, urging the court to dismiss the charges.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu stated that the prosecution had established enough grounds to warrant a defence.
“The determination of the court at this stage is not to address the credibility of witnesses. What constitutes the court’s critical concerns is to determine whether or not there is a prima facie case,” the judge said.
He maintained that there was sufficient material before the court linking the defendants to the charges.
“It is the court’s considered view that the defendants need to throw some light on some of the allegations at least for the sake of fulfilling the principle of fair hearing. Therefore, subject to further evidence and explanation, the two defendants in this case have a case to answer and I so hold,” he declared.
Justice Lifu dismissed the no-case submission and directed the defendants to enter their defence. The case was adjourned to September 22 and 26, 2025.
