A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital territory
has granted bail to a former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, who
alongside the former Commissioner of Finance in the state are standing
trial for alleged mismanagement of over 3.1 billion naira belonging to
Benue State.
The court granted them bail in the sum of 100 million naira each and one
surety each who shall be not less than a Director, Grade Level 12 in the
employment of the federal, state or local government.
Each surety shall swear an affidavit of means while the two accused
persons are to submit their travel documents in the custody of the court.
Trial has been set for December 8 and 9, while bail was not opposed by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Mr Suswam and his former Finance Commissioner, Mr Omodachi Okolobia, were
alleged to have diverted the proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the
Benue State Government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.
The offence is punishable under Section 15, Subsection 3 of the Money
Laundering (Prohibition) Act as amended in 2012.