N3.1b fraud: Suswam’s ill heath stalls trial

Former governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam who is recuperating from illness he suffered while in detention was on Tuesday unable to face his trial in N3.1 b fraud charges along with his former commissioner for finance, Omadachi Oklobia before the Federal High Court in Abuja .

They were arraigned before the court by the Econmic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC on a nine count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1b.

They were alleged to have diverted proceeds of the sale of shares owed by Benue State government and Benue investment and property company limited.

The ,offence, the EFCC stays is punishable under S15(3) of the money (prohibition) Act 2011

But at the resumed trial yesterday before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, lawyer to Suswam, Mr Ahmed Raji (SAN) informed the court that his client was currently on admission in an Abuja hospital,

To back his claims, Raji transmitted to the court a copy of the medical report from the hospital where Suswam is admitted.

On his part, the prosecuting lawyer, Mr A. O Atolagbe raised no objection but however informed the court that he wil need to see a copy of the medical report.

He said, “I was informed this morning about the il health of the first defendant but I am yet to see the copy of his medical report”.

Justice Mohammed then asked Raji to make available to the prosecution copies of the medical report.