Posted on: 04:51 Tue, 19 Jan 2016



The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) yesterday disclosed
that the source of the petition of
alleged corruption against immediate
past governor of Benue State, Gabriel
Suswam, could not be traced.

Suswam was arraigned before a
Federal High Court in Abuja alongside
former Commissioner of Finance in
the state, Omodachi Okolobia, on nine-
count charges of embezzlement of
funds valued at N3.1 billion.

An official of the EFCC, Junaidu Saidu
testified that the commission received
an anonymous petition on July 14,
2015 against Suswam’s administration
titled: “Truth Shall Prevail Over Evil
Minds” with no letterhead or address.

The petition alleged the theft of N9
billion sold shares of Benue State with
Dangote Cement PLC,
misappropriation of N6 billion
Ecological Funds from the federal
government to Benue State for six
years, and the diversion of N1billion
from the sale of Taraku Vegetables Ltd
against the ex-governor.

He, however, noted that following the
petition, the commission made some
findings, which informed its decision
to prosecute Mr. Suswam and his co-
accused on the nine-count charge to
the tune of N3.1 billion.

During the cross examination by
defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN),
which lasted for more than five hours,
Mr. Saheed further revealed that
address of the petitioner could not be
traceable while e-mail messages sent
to it were not delivered.

He added that investigations showed
that a partner to the state Ministry of
Finance and Benue Investment and
Property Company Limited, Elixir
Investment Partners, received several
billions of Naira on behalf of the state
which were paid into the accounts of
Fanffash Resources.

Mr. Daudu, however, prayed the court
to compel the EFCC operative to
explain the result of its findings on the
remaining sum of over N6 billion since
the commission’s findings show N3.1
billion forming part of the N9.4 billion
allegedly diverted.

Responding, counsel to EFCC, Rotimi
Jacobs (SAN), pleaded that the
commission be allowed to explain
based on its charges that revolve
around the sum of N3.1billion.

A plea by the counsel to Suswam to
present a previous judgment from the
same court regarding his stand that the
anti-graft agency had no legal
privilege to investigate state funds,
failed.

The presiding judge, Ahmed
Mohammed, said the court could take
judicial notice of the said document
and nothing else.

Justice Mohammed adjourned the case
to today for further hearing.