A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, held that former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, and Omodachi Okolobia, who served as his administration’s commissioner for Finance, have a case to answer in the alleged N3.1bn fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had charged the duo on an 11-count amended charge bordering on an alleged diversion of N3.1bn, reportedly derived from the sale of shares belonging to Benue State Government.
Ruling on a no-case submissions argued by Suswam and Omodachi, the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu said after analysing the evidence of the nine prosecution witnesses and documents tendered by the prosecution, he was of the view that there was the need for the defendants to provide answers to the allegations against them.
Justice Lifu therefore dismissed their no-case-submission and held that the EFCC established a prima facie case against Suswam and Okolobia that required their defence and therefore directed the defendants to open their defence.
Justice Lifu held; “The defendants need to throw some light on some of the allegations made against them in the interest of justice and fair hearing. It is, therefore, my view that the two defendants have a case to answer. I so hold.
“I hold that the prosecution has successfully established a prima facie case against them as there are some evidences before the court to proceed with the trial,” he declared.
Justice Lifu thereafter adjourned further trial to September 22 and 26, 2025.
The EFCC claimed that the N3.1bn formed part of the proceeds of the sale of shares owned by Benue State and its firm, Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, in some companies.
The shares were managed by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited and sold through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
The EFCC had on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, closed its case against the defendants after presenting Ape Sunday as its ninth prosecution witness.
