Federal Government Re-Arraigns Ex Benue Governor, Suswam Over N9.7 Billion Fraud

The Federal High Court in Abuja today has fixed November 20 for the re-arraignment of former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, and two of his commissioners for allegedly diverting N9.7 billion, into a private account.

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Naija News understands that Justice I.E. Ekwo fixed the date earlier today when the matter was brought before him for the first time.

It will be recalled that Mr Suswam was arraigned before Justice Gabriel Kolawale, alongside his former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Oklobia and the Accountant of the Government House, Janet Aluga.

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They were arraigned for allegedly diverting N9.7 billion, part of which was meant for Police Reform Programme and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

The trio allegedly cornered the said funds between 2012 and 2015, while Mr Suswam was governor of the state.

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They were also accused of conspiracy, conversion of property derived directly from corruption; collaboration to conceal property derived from corruption; obtaining by false pretence and accepting cash payments, exceeding the amount authorised by law.

The offences are said to be contrary to, and punishable under various provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act

Mr Kolawale admitted the trio to bail in the sum of N250 million each and one surety each in like sum.