Suswam‘s 11-Year N3.1bn Fraud Trial Gets Date For Final Addresses
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The 11-year-old trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, over an alleged N3.1 billion fraud has entered its final phase, with the Federal High Court in Abuja fixing July 16, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Dele Oyewole, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, adjourned proceedings on Wednesday after both the prosecution and defence concluded their cases.
Suswam is standing trial alongside his former Commissioner of Finance, Omadachi Okolobia, on an amended 11-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency. The charges border on alleged theft, criminal breach of trust, illegal award of contracts and money laundering involving N3.1 billion realised from the sale of the Benue State Government’s shares in Benue Cement Company.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants diverted the funds through Elixir Securities Ltd and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
During the trial, the prosecution presented nine witnesses, while Suswam was the sole witness for the defence.
The case, first instituted in November 2015, has passed through several judges following transfers and elevations to the Court of Appeal. Initially assigned to Justice Ahmed Mohammed, it was later handled by Justice Okon Abang before returning to Justice Mohammed. Following Justice Mohammed’s elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2023, the matter was reassigned to Justice Lifu, necessitating a fresh trial.
The defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Lifu, marking their second arraignment in the case. After the prosecution closed its case, both defendants filed a no-case submission, which Justice Lifu dismissed on July 23, 2025, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring them to open their defence.
The defence commenced on October 10, 2025, and with both sides now having closed their cases, the matter is set for final written addresses on July 16, after which the court is expected to fix a date for judgment.
