Court Adjourns Suswan’s N3.1bn Corruption Trial to September 28

Cat:

Related stories

Before you accept his proposal, By Funke Egbemode

By Funke Egbemode If the man you are considering spending...

Oil Price Volatility and Higher Valuations Cause M&A Activity to Slow

Global upstream merger and acquisition activity significantly slowed in...

Drama as UNIMAID ASUU Opposes Tinubu, Vows To Contest Renaming of Varsity After Late Buhari

By Abiola Olawale The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)...

Falana Lashes Okpebholo, Warns: “Withdraw Your Statement, Apologize to Obi immediately.”

By Abiola Olawale  Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate...

NDDC’s N6 trillion: SERAP Drags Tinubu to Court Over Non-Release of Forensic Audit Report

By Abiola Olawale The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP),...

The trial of the a former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam and his former Commissioner of Finance, Omadachi Okolobia before Justice A. R. Mohammed at the Federal High Court, Abuja was stalled on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 due to the absence of the second defendant, Okolobia.
Suswam and his co-accused were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on a nine- count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1billion.
They were alleged to have diverted proceeds of the sale of shares owned by Benue Government and Benue Investment & Property Company Limited.
The case, which has suffered several adjournments for over a year was to resume today, but could not go on as Okolobia, a second defendant in the suit, was markedly absent.
His absence was attributed to his inability to meet bail conditions in another 32-count charge of fraud preferred against him, his principal (Suswan) and Jeneth Aluga, a former Accountant General of the State, by the federal government.
According to Okolobia’s counsel, Samson A. Eigege, “the absence of Okolobia was due to the fact that he was remanded on Monday in Kuje prison on the orders of Justice Kolawole. He had been granted bail, but the bail conditions are yet to be fulfilled as the surety earlier brought was rejected”.
He urged the court to grant adjournment to enable them secure the release of the second defendant (Okolobia) for him to stand trial.
Responding, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, counsel to EFCC, raised no objection to the adjournment, but brought to the notice of the court that the case was to be heard today and tomorrow (June 21 and 22) and requested that, “if the defence could meet the bail conditions today, the defendant would be released and trial should continue tomorrow with the defendant present”.
On the other hand, Suswan’s counsel, Tawo E. Tawo, SAN, told the court that he had no objection to the adjournment sought by Eigege as he was aware of the circumstances surrounding the second defendant’s absence.
He urged that adequate time should be given to the second defendant as tomorrow might not be feasible.
Justice Mohammed, after listening to the submissions of counsels adjourned to September 28, 2017 for continuation of trial.

Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa is an experienced, and committed communication, business, administrative, data and research specialist . His deep knowledge of the intersection between communication, business, data, and journalism are quite profound. His passion for professional excellence remains the guiding principle of his work, and in the course of his career spanning sectors such as administration, tourism, business management, communication and journalism, Hamilton has won key awards. He is a delightful writer, researcher and data analyst. He loves team-work, problem-solving, organizational management, communication strategy, and enjoys travelling. He can be reached at: hamilton_68@yahoo.com

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Before you accept his proposal, By Funke EgbemodeOil Price Volatility and Higher Valuations Cause M&A Activity to SlowDrama as UNIMAID ASUU Opposes Tinubu, Vows To Contest Renaming of Varsity After Late BuhariFalana Lashes Okpebholo, Warns: "Withdraw Your Statement, Apologize to Obi immediately."NDDC's N6 trillion: SERAP Drags Tinubu to Court Over Non-Release of Forensic Audit ReportFears Soars As PDP Confirms Assassination Attempt on Anambra Gov Candidate, EzenwaforBreakdown as FAAC Disburses N1.818 Trillion in June 2025 2027: Osun Senator, Fadeyi Dumps PDP, Amid Adeleke's Defection SpeculationsRanked: The 40 Countries With the Best Culture and HeritageEFCC Probing 18 Sitting Governors in Major Corruption Crackdown, Olukoyede RevealsNatasha Vows to Return to Senate Tuesday, Despite Akpabio's AppealPresidency, ADC in War of Words Over BuhariPresidency, ADC in War of Words Over Buhari(VIDEO) Gambari Weighs in on Buhari's Legacy, Says History Will Be Kind to Him2027: Osun Senator, Fadeyi Dumps PDP, Amid Adeleke's Defection Speculations
X whatsapp