The ongoing trial of former Benue state Governor, Gabriel Suswam and his Finance Commissioner Omodachi Okolobia, before Justice Ramat Ahmed of an Abuja Federal High Court, has been stalled due to Suswam’s absence in court.
Joseph Daudu SAN informed the trial court at the resumption of trial, that the former governor could not appear in court as he is been held in detention by the Department of State Service (DSS).
“My Lord, the absence of the 1st defendant is due to no fault of his. On 24th February 2017, he was invited by the Department of State Security, since that day, he has been kept in detention without trial.
“No effort has been made to take him to court in respect of whatever allegation against him.
“The 1st defendant is being prosecuted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the last time he was seen was in the custody of an agency of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“If the prosecutor is not aware, he can find out why he would be kept in detention without trial.
“I came purposely to inform the court that the 1st defendant’s absence was not to disrespect the court but due to his detention”, he said.
Oluwaleke Atolagbe, the prosecuting counsel however told the court that the agency prosecuting Suswam was the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while he is being held by the DSS, which are two seperate agencies of the Federal Government.
At this instance, Justice Ahmed adjourned the matter to May 9, 2017 due to the absence of the 1st defendant (Suswam)
Suswam and Okolobia are facing trial for allegedly defrauding Benue state government the sum of N3.1billion while in office on a 9-count charge bordering on allegations of financial impropriety and money laundering.
It will be recalled that the DSS in a statement issued by Tony Opuiyo, stated that some incriminating items were discovered in cars parked at Dunes Investment and Global Properties Ltd in Abuja.
“The operation was informed by intelligence that some incriminating items were stashed in the boots of cars parked at the property, particularly a Mercedes Benz S550 (BWR 135AH), and Masarati 4.7 (BWR 207 AJ), which were subsequently confiscated.
“Consequently, on 25th February, 2017, about 1000hours, in the presence of two (2) private security officers employed by Dunes Investment, the cars were searched and the following items were recovered:
“Weapons: Glock pistol with two magazines and a total of 29 rounds of ammunition; mini-Uzi with two magazines containing 10 rounds and four rounds respectively; 42 extra rounds of ammunition contained in a pack; and one AK-47.
“Other items recovered include: 21 certificates of occupancy (C of O) and one offer of statutory right of occupancy; 23 luxury designer watches; and 45 keys to various exotic cars.
“Following this discovery, the service launched further investigation which revealed that the cars and the recovered items belong to the former governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswan who has already been invited by the service and presently helping in the investigations.”
