Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned ruling on the no-case submission filed by former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and his former Commissioner of Finance, Omadachi Oklobia, to July 23, 2025.
Suswam and Oklobia are being tried on an 11-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust over the alleged diversion of N3.1 billion.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the funds in question were part of the proceeds from the sale of Benue State government shares managed by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), and sold through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
At Friday’s proceedings, defence counsel Chenelu Ogbozor, representing Suswam, and Paul Erokoro (SAN), representing Oklobia, informed the court that a no-case submission was filed on May 28, 2025, under Sections 302 and 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
They urged the court to adopt their submission, which is supported by a written address filed on July 10, 2025. The defence prayed the court to discharge and acquit the defendants, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case.
In response, lead prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) opposed the application, referencing his written reply submitted in July 2025.
He urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission, maintaining that the evidence on record sufficiently connects the defendants to the alleged financial crimes and that the matter should proceed to full trial.
Justice Lifu, after hearing both sides, adjourned the matter to July 23 for a ruling on whether the defendants have a case to answer.
The case, which began in 2015, involves allegations by the EFCC that Suswam and Oklobia diverted proceeds from the sale of state-owned shares worth N3.1 billion, in violation of multiple sections of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
The funds were allegedly funneled through third-party financial institutions linked to the defendants.
Over the years, the trial has seen several delays, amendments to the charge sheet, and appearances before multiple judges.
Suswam, who was Benue State governor from 2007 to 2015, has consistently denied the charges.
Nonetheless, the EFCC asserts that the case is built on documentary evidence and financial records detailing suspicious transactions.
The outcome of the upcoming ruling will determine whether the trial continues or the defendants are discharged after years of legal proceedings.
