The alleged N3.1 billion money laundering case involving former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, and his erstwhile Commissioner of Finance, Omadachi Oklobia, is approaching its final stage after more than 11 years in court.
The Federal High Court has fixed September 25, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses in the case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Suswam and Oklobia are facing an amended 11-count charge over allegations relating to the laundering of N3.1 billion allegedly connected to the sale of Benue State Government shares in Dangote Cement Plc, held through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC).
The case began in November 2015 when Suswam and Oklobia were first arraigned before Justice Ahmed Mohammed. They were subsequently re-arraigned on November 2, 2020.
The trial has passed through several judges and encountered a number of delays. Justice Ahmed Mohammed initially handled the matter before withdrawing from the case. It was later reassigned to Justice Okon Abang and eventually to Justice Peter Lifu following directives of the Court of Appeal and Justice Mohammed’s elevation to the appellate bench in 2023.
The case started afresh before Justice Peter Lifu on March 21, 2024, following the filing of an amended 11-count charge by the EFCC. The prosecution subsequently called nine witnesses and tendered documentary evidence in an effort to establish its case.
One of the prosecution witnesses, Abubakar Umar, a bureau de change operator, told the court that N3.1 billion was transferred to his account in tranches and that he converted the money to dollars before allegedly delivering the equivalent of $15.8 million to Suswam at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
Suswam, however, denied the allegation, telling the court that he had no transaction with Umar and did not instruct him to collect or convert any money on his behalf. He also maintained that he did not misappropriate public funds during his tenure as governor.
In July 2025, Justice Lifu dismissed the defendants’ no-case submissions, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring the defendants to present their defence.
After the defendants concluded their defence, the court adjourned the matter to January 20, 2026, for adoption of final written addresses. The court, however, did not sit on that date due to the absence of the judge.
The case has now entered the final written-address stage, with the court expected to hear the parties on September 25, 2026.
For observers and citizens of Benue State, the conclusion of the case is significant as it has remained before the courts for more than a decade.
