EFCC Officially Moves Against Ex Benue Gov Gabriel Suswam In N3.1billion Allegation

Anti graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has officially moved against former Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam.

According to thenation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today arraigned former Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged laundering of about N3.1 billion.

The ex-governor is likely to be arraigned with his former Finance Commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia, depending on his cooperation with the anti-graft agency.

A highly-placed source said: “Barring any last minute hitch, the commission will formally Ex Gov Suswam arraign a former governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, before an Abuja Court on November 4.

“The anti-graft agency on Monday, October 2, 2015, filed a nine-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1 billion at a Federal High Court, Abuja.”

Suswam and Okolobia were alleged to have diverted proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the state government and the state Investment and Property Company Limited.

The offence is punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012.

Prior to the filing of charges, EFCC had quizzed Suswam and Okolobia based on the report of the Benue State’s 16-member Transition Committee, led by its chairman, Mr. Mike Iordye.

The committee had uncovered the shares scam as well as over N90 billion debt and disappearance of N6.507 billion meant for SURE-P among others.

Shortly after Governor Samuel Ortom took over, he said he would probe Suswam’s administration.

He said: “We are going to look at Governor Suswam’s administration. Though we do not have specific areas where we intend to look at, I assure you that we are going to stand for the people of Benue State.”

On his part, Suswam said he was not afraid of the ongoing probe of his administration by the Ortom administration.

He said the probe might set bad precedent in the state and no one knows whose turn would be next.

Suswam said: “On the issue of probe going on in Benue State, it is not that one is afraid, but once a precedent is set, it is a double-edge sword. You don’t know whose turn it is tomorrow; you don’t know tomorrow.

“When I became the governor of Benue State, I met some issues on ground, but I resolved it amicably. When there are issues, let us talk about it amicably instead of grandstanding. This remains my approach to life. I encourage us in Benue to toe the path of peace.”