The trial of former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, was on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, following his inability to open his defence.
Suswam, alongside his former Commissioner of Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, is standing trial before Justice Peter Lifu on amended 11-count charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly diverting N3.1 billion, proceeds from the sale of Benue State shares held by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.
The court had earlier dismissed a no-case submission by the defendants on July 23, 2025, ordering them to commence their defence. However, at Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel J.B. Daudu (SAN) requested a three-week adjournment, citing the ill health of a team member and a pending appeal against the ruling.
Prosecuting counsel A.O. Atolagbe opposed the request, stressing that the defence had ample time — including the court’s annual recess — to prepare. He argued that the case, which has lingered for over a decade, should not suffer further delays.
Justice Lifu expressed concern over the prolonged trial, lamenting its 10-year duration. He urged both parties to work towards a conclusion and adjourned the matter until October 10, 2025, for the defendants to open their defence.
