Alleged ₦3.1Bn fraud: I earned  ₦700,000 monthly salary, Ex- Gov Suswam tells court

Former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that his monthly salary as governor was only ₦700,000 — a meager sum, according to him, despite the seeming prestige of the office.

Suswam made the statement before Justice Peter Lifu while opening his defence in a ₦3.1 billion fraud trial that has lingered for over a decade. He and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Oklobia, are standing trial on allegations bordering on money laundering and financial misconduct.

Suswam, who served as Benue State governor between 2007 and 2015, told the court that aside from his official salary, he also earned income from his farming business and received other allowances as a governor .However, he insisted that none of these earnings were illicit.

Led in evidence by his counsel, Suswam denied ever receiving any money from prosecution witness, Abubakar Umar a bureau de exchange operator in Abuja .He stated firmly that at no time during his tenure did he collect or authorize the collection of money from Umar, either directly or indirectly.

He pleaded with the court that he  ‘serve this country as a governor, a House of Representatives member, and a senator. I deserve peace, not to be dragged through these allegations,”

Under cross-examination by second defendants counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, the former governor was questioned about a payment voucher for security-related expenses. In response, Suswam explained that the decision to disburse the funds was made by the Benue State Executive Council (EXCO) and that the money was intended for troop logistics and security operations.

Under cross examination by the prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacob, SAN,

Suswam said that Oklobia, his then finance commissioner, handed the money over to the head of the security unit, in line with Exco’ s decision.

Suswam further told the court that all major financial decisions during his administration were approved collectively by the state executive council.

He denied personally appointing board members or directors of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), and members of Benue state Executive Council ,  saying those appointments were based on nominations by stakeholders across the state.

He however admitted that the power to remove commissioner reside with the governor.

Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter to November 5 for continuation of cross examination and trial.