DSS continuous detention of Suswam stalls his trial
The trial of former Benue state governor, Gabriel Suswam and the Finance Commissioner under his administration Omodachi Okolobia was on Tuesday stalled due to the absence of the ex-governor in court.
Both men are facing trial for allegedly defrauding Benue state government of N3.1billion while in office.
Suswam and Okolobia were on November 10, 2015 arraigned before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a 9-count charge bordering on allegations of financial impropriety and money laundering.
At yesterday’s proceeding, Joseph Dawodu (SAN) told the court that his client, Suswam has been in the custody of the Department of State Security since February.
“My Lord, the absence of the 1st defendant is due to no fault of his. On February 24, 2017, he was invited by the Department of State Security (DSS), 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,” Daudu told the court.
Reacting, the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe clarified that “the agency prosecuting Suswam is the EFCC, while as confirmed by the senior counsel, the agency holding the 1st defendant is DSS. They are two different agencies.”
Ruling, Justice Mohammed said, “this case being a criminal matter cannot proceed in the absence of 1st defendant.
Consequently, the matter was adjourned to May 9.
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