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The long-running trial of ex- Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, over allegations of diverting ₦3.1 billion in public funds has entered its 12th year, with court proceedings yet to reach the defence stage despite the prosecution having concluded its case.

Suswam and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Oklobia, have been facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since November 2015 over allegations bordering on money laundering and the alleged diversion of proceeds from the sale of Benue State Government shares in Dangote Cement Plc.

According to the anti-corruption agency, the funds in question, amounting to approximately ₦3.1 billion, were realised from the sale of state-owned shares in the cement company but were allegedly diverted for personal purposes rather than being remitted to government coffers. Both defendants have consistently denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Court Orders Defendants to Open Defence

After years of legal arguments, procedural delays and changes in judicial handling of the matter, the case appeared to be approaching a decisive phase in July 2025 when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defendants.

In his ruling delivered on July 23, 2025, the judge held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the defendants, requiring them to enter a defence.

The ruling was widely viewed as a significant milestone in a case that had already spent nearly a decade in the judicial system.

However, despite the court’s directive, defence proceedings have yet to commence almost one year later.

Series of Adjournments Prolong Trial

The court initially scheduled September 25, 2025, for Suswam and Oklobia to begin presenting their defence. However, proceedings failed to move forward as expected.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 20, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses before being shifted again to May 29, 2026.

When the matter came up in May, the hearing could not proceed because the court was not sitting, resulting in another postponement.

Justice Lifu thereafter fixed July 17, 2026, as the new date for the continuation of proceedings.

The repeated adjournments have further extended a case that has already spent more than a decade within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Trial Marked by Judicial Changes

Since its commencement, the case has experienced several disruptions arising from judicial transfers, appeals and allegations affecting the presiding judges.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed initially handled the matter after the defendants were arraigned in 2015. However, he stepped aside in 2016 following media reports that questioned his impartiality in the case.

Although he later resumed proceedings, he withdrew again in 2019 after another publication raised similar concerns regarding his continued handling of the trial.

Following his withdrawal, the matter was reassigned to Justice Okon Abang, who proceeded with parts of the prosecution’s case and heard testimonies from some witnesses.

However, the legal battle took another turn when the Court of Appeal ruled that the case file should be returned to Justice Mohammed after an appeal filed by Suswam.

Fresh delays emerged in 2023 when Justice Mohammed was elevated to the Court of Appeal, making it impossible for him to continue handling the matter. The case was subsequently reassigned to Justice Peter Lifu.

EFCC Calls Nine Witnesses

The EFCC eventually closed its case after presenting nine witnesses before the court.

Among those who testified were investigators, officials from the Benue State Ministry of Finance, representatives of stockbroking firms involved in the share transaction and a bureau de change operator.

The prosecution relied on documentary and oral evidence in an effort to establish its allegations that proceeds from the sale of government-owned shares were unlawfully diverted.

Following the close of the prosecution’s case, the defendants sought to have the charges dismissed through a no-case submission. However, the court ruled that sufficient evidence existed to warrant a defence.

Queries Over Delayed Justice

The prolonged nature of the proceedings has continued to attract public attention, particularly because the case remains unresolved more than 11 years after it was first filed.

Legal observers have pointed to the repeated adjournments, judicial reassignments and procedural setbacks as factors contributing to the slow pace of the trial.

Meanwhile, Suswam, who governed Benue State between 2007 and 2015 and later served as a senator, has remained active in Nigeria’s political landscape and is reportedly considering another electoral contest while the criminal case remains pending.Politics

With the next hearing scheduled for July 17, 2026, attention will once again focus on whether the defence will finally begin presenting its case in one of Nigeria’s longest-running high-profile corruption trials.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Rep. James Faleke, has called on civil servants across the country to uphold integrity, professionalism and due process in the discharge of their duties, describing the public service as a critical pillar of national development.

Faleke made the call in Abuja during the launch of a book titled “The Nigerian Legislature: A Practical Guide for Lawmakers”, written by the retiring Clerk of the House Committee on Finance, Mr Oscar Okoro, as part of activities marking his 60th birthday and retirement from service.

The lawmaker praised Okoro’s dedication, commitment and work ethic, describing him as a model civil servant whose career should serve as an inspiration to younger generations entering public service.

According to Faleke, civil servants occupy a strategic position in governance and have a responsibility to ensure that government processes are carried out in accordance with established rules and procedures.

He said: “The civil service mainly, they build the country. They are the technocrats. They are the people that we, politicians rely on.
“And if the civil servant decide to get this done properly, I think the country will better off. Even when the politician says let us do it the other way and he says no, let us follow the rules. I think Nigeria will better off.

“It is about dedication to the development of Nigeria, when you trust and believe in the country, you will want to see the success of the country.

“Okoro is a very, very hardworking guy, unlike others, he is not money conscious, he just wants to see things accordingly and appreciably.

“And for every time I push him hard, he works harder; I believe he’ is going to succeed very well in his retirement, so I wish him luck, and I pray that the family would not get the better of him”.

Faleke noted that Nigeria will benefit greatly if public servants remained committed to professionalism and resisted pressures to circumvent established procedures.

Also speaking at the event, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Rep. Abubakar Saidu, said his relationship with Okoro had grown beyond official duties and evolved into a family bond over the years.

He described the retiring clerk as a consummate professional whose conduct and dedication to service should serve as a guide for younger public servants.
According to him:

“He is very dedicated, very patient, he is a professional, excellent and committed as well as exemplary when it comes to the job,” he said.

Saidu added that future generations of civil servants will have much to learn from Okoro’s approach to public service and his commitment to excellence.

In his remarks, House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, described Okoro as an outstanding public servant whose contributions to the National Assembly and the country would not be forgotten.

Rotimi commended him for what he described as years of meritorious service and dedication to legislative administration.

“My encouragement to people in service is that, this is the kind of person to model and pattern their careers after, people that have integrity and diligence their watch word,” he said.

Rotimi said that though the system has inbuilt mentorship and leadership recruitment processes, Okoro’ wealth of experience and expertise will be greatly missed.

Responding, Okoro attributed his success in life to God Almighty saying that life itself is very difficult and cautious journey.

“You have to know your onions, be hardworking, be patient, humble and respectful; if these are lacking, you are bound to fail either in the National Assembly or anywhere in life,” he said.

Okoro said that he would return to legal practice, consultancy and dedicate the rest of his life to mentorship of younger generations and service to God.

Earlier, the book reviewer, Prof. Kabir Danladi of the Department of Public Law, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) said that the book is a demonstration of hardwork and dedication to service exhibited by the author in the 27 years service to the nation.

He said that the book provides a practical and institutional guide for the Nigerians legislature with focus on the National Assembly.

The professor said that the books covers the constitutional foundation of National Assembly, internal structure, legislative procedure, oversight functions and its relationship with other arms of government.

Danladi said that the 335 pages book is structured acrossed nine chapters, each addressing a distinct legislative life from historical foundation, constitutional law to practical step-by-step guidance on legislative procedure.

He said that there is alternative to reading especially for those who want to grasp the knowledge therein saying that reading is a command for human development and progress.

The professor recommended the book for all lawmakers, politicians and for all Nigerians to read and enhance the understanding of the legislature.

The event drew lawmakers, parliamentary staff, family members and associates who gathered to celebrate Okoro’s retirement and the launch of his book, which offers practical insights into legislative procedures and the workings of Nigeria’s parliament.

Many of the speakers described the book as a valuable resource for lawmakers, legislative aides and students seeking a deeper understanding of parliamentary practice in Nigeria.

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The Plateau Advocates for Peaceful Co-existence has faulted former Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, over what it described as a misleading claim that highways leading to Jos are unsafe for travellers.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Mr. Bulus Ayuba, the group said Dalung’s remarks amounted to a false narrative capable of demarketing Plateau State and discouraging visitors, investors and residents from carrying out lawful social and economic activities.
Ayuba acknowledged that some rural communities in the state had suffered attacks over the years, but insisted that such incidents should not be used to misrepresent the entire state or diminish its identity as the “Home of Peace and Tourism.”
According to him, the people of Plateau have continued to show resilience, hospitality and unity despite security challenges in some areas.
He urged the public to disregard what he called Dalung’s misleading assertion and continue with lawful commercial, social and economic activities that support livelihoods and promote national cohesion.
The group maintained that major routes from Abuja, Bauchi and Gombe to Jos remain accessible and safe for travellers, adding that business activities are going on unhindered across the state.
It also stated that highways linking Plateau North, Plateau Central and Plateau South are safe for movement.
Ayuba further argued that Jos has remained a safe haven for thousands of internally displaced persons fleeing insecurity from parts of the North-East and other regions of the country.
He said this reality confirms the relative peace, stability and hospitality that Plateau State continues to offer residents and visitors.
“Plateau remains the Home of Peace and Tourism. The fact that some rural communities have endured attacks does not erase the identity, resilience and welcoming spirit of the people,” the statement added.