Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, ruled that former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, have a case to answer in the alleged diversion of N3.1 billion in public funds.
The ruling followed the dismissal of a no-case submission filed by the defendants after the prosecution closed its case, having called nine witnesses and tendered multiple exhibits.
Suswam and Okolobia are standing trial on an 11-count amended charge bordering on the alleged misappropriation of N3.1 billion—funds said to be proceeds from Benue State’s shares held through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, and allegedly laundered via Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case warranting an explanation from the defendants. He emphasized that the current stage of the trial was not for evaluating the credibility of witnesses but to determine whether sufficient evidence exists linking the accused to the alleged offences.
“It is the court’s considered view that the defendants need to throw some light on some of the allegations, at least to satisfy the principle of fair hearing. Therefore, the no-case submission is hereby dismissed, and the defendants are called upon to enter their defence,” the judge ruled.
The matter was adjourned to September 22 and 26, 2025, for continuation of trial.
