Unlawful possession of firearms: FG arraigns ex- Gov. Suswam as judge grants him N500m bail
The Federal Government on Friday arraigned former governor of Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam on three-count charge of alleged possession of firearms and money laundering before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
In the charge filed on June 26, 2018, Suswam who is facing corruption trial in two separate courts , was accused of concealing weapons in his Mercedes Benz 550 4Matic car with Registration No: BWR 135 AH parked at Dunes Investment and Properties Ltd, premises at No. 44 Aguiyi lronsi Way, Maitama, contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act Cap F28, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 27(1)(a)(1) of the same Act.
He was also accused of, “Converting 25 designer wrist watches worth several millions of naira being properties you derived directly from corruption and concealed in your Mercedes Benz 550 4Matic with Registration No BWR 135 AH”.
The alleged offence is contrary to Section 15(1)(a)(ii) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under the same section of the Act”.
But when the charge was read to Suswam, he pleaded not guilty to the offence while prosecuting lawyer, Abubakar Kayode Alilu, urged the court for a date to commence trial. The lawyer also asked the court to remand Suswam in prison pending the hearing and determination of the charge against him.
Suswam’s lawyer, Mr Paul Erokoro (SAN), however, drew the attention of the court to a bail application, which he said was in order for hearing on Friday.
Moving the application, Erokoro told Justice Babatunde Quadri to grant Suswam bail on liberal terms, pointing out that he (Suswam) is on bail in two other charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
Suswam’s bail application, Erokoro argued, was based on eight grounds, supported with 18-paragraph affidavit and an attached exhibit to the effect that Suswam has an enlarged heart, a life threatening condition, which he said requires regular medical attention and treatment.
According to him, all the facts in the affidavit in support of the application for bail are unchallenged, pointing out that the defendant is a legal practitioner, a two-term governor of Benue State and had served at the House of Representatives for eight years, and will not jump bail.
Though the prosecuting lawyer did not oppose Suswam’s bail application, he urged the court to use its discretion in granting the bail. He added that the prosecution intends to call four witnesses in the matter.
Having listened to submissions of lawyers to the parties, Justice Quadri admitted Suswam to bail in the sum of N500million and one surety in likes sum.
The judge added that the surety, who must be a resident of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), should also swear to an affidavit of means and that the surety’s residential address must be verified by officials of the court.
The judge further held that the surety must also submit one passport photograph to the court as part of the bail conditions for the former governor and adjourned the matter till October 24 and 25, 2018.
Count one of the charge reads:”That you, Gabriel Suswam of Rio Negro, Maitama, Abuja, on or about the 24th day of February, 2017 at Dunes Investment and Properties Ltd, No. 44 Aguiyi lronsi Way, Maitama, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: without lawful authority or licence, you had in your possession one(l) Gloek Pistol with Serial Number KML 275, one (1) Mini rifile with Serial Number 54976 and One(l) AK 47 with Serial Number 5622620063,
which weapons were concealed in your Mercedes Benz 550 4Matic car with Registration No: BWR 135 AH and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act Cap F28, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 27(1)(a)(1) of the same Act”.
