to the absence of the lead defence counsel, J.P Daudu, SAN, who was said
to be under the weather.
Suswam and Okolobia Okpanachi, former commissioner of finance in the state
are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC
on a nine-count charge bordering on diversion of N3.1 billion before
Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Both are alleged to have diverted proceeds of the sale of shares, owned by
Benue State Government and Benue Investment & Property Company Limited.
One of the charges against them reads, “That you Gabriel Torwua Suswam and
Omodachi Okolobia, while being the Benue State governor and commissioner
of finance of Benue State respectively between 8th August and 30th
October, 2014 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court
took possession of the sum of $15, 800,000 (Fifteen Million, Eight Hundred
Thousand Dollars) from Abubakra Umar of Fanffash Resources World-wide
Limited, a bureau de change dealer which sum you knew to be the proceed of
unlawful activity to wit: theft of the sum of N3, 111, 008,018.51 (Three
Billion, One Hundred and Eleven Million, Eight Thousand, Eighteen Naira,
Fifty-one Kobo ) which form part of the sum of N9,411,708,009.51 (Nine
Billion, Four Hundred and Eleven Million, Seven Hundred and Eight
Thousand, Nine Naira, Fifty One Kobo), realized from the sale of shares,
owned by Benue Government and Benue Investment and Property Company
Limited and you thereby committed and offence contrary to Section 15 (2)
(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as Amended in 2012 and
punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
At the resumed trial today, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN
informed the court that though the matter was billed for hearing today,
the lead defence counsel, Daudu, SAN, contacted him and told him that he
was indisposed. He added that Mr Daudu asked for an adjournment, an
application Jacobs told the court that he will not oppose.
A defense counsel, David Iorhemba, who held brief for Daudu told the court
that what the prosecution said was the position of the defense, adding
that due to the ill health, the lead counsel, Daudu will be asking for a
very long adjournment to enable him recover.
Justice Mohammed, after listening to counsels adjourned to May 22 and 23,
2019 for continuation of the trial.