The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday presented its ninth and final prosecution witness, Ape Sunday, in the ongoing trial of former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam.
Suswam is standing trial alongside his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, on an amended 11-count involving the alleged diversion of N3.1 billion in public funds. The money represents part of proceeds from the sale of Benue State government shares held by Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.
Prosecuting counsel A. O. Atolagbe informed Justice Lifu’s court that the prosecution was closing its case with the ninth witness after its tenth witness, Mrs. Shiedu Awade, a former cashier at Benue Investment and Property Ltd, could not testify due to hospitalization.
“PW10 has been admitted to the National Hospital, Abuja, and was unable to appear in court due to the severity of her illness,” testified PW9, an EFCC investigator, while being led in evidence.
Following the prosecution’s case closure, defense counsel C. E. Ugbozor (for Suswam) and Paul Erokoro, SAN (for Okolobia) notified the court of their intention to file a “no-case submission,” requesting 14 days for preparation.
The prosecution sought 21 days to respond to the anticipated defense application.
Justice Lifu subsequently adjourned proceedings to June 24, 2025, for adoption of the no-case submission. The case involves allegations that the defendants diverted state funds between 2007 and 2015 during Suswam’s tenure as governor.
The EFCC’s decision to close with nine witnesses instead of the planned ten came after medical complications prevented its final witness from testifying. The anti-graft agency maintains it has established sufficient evidence to prove the charges against the former governor and his co-accused.
