Showdown in Abuja: Suswam’s N3.1 billion fraud case nears dramatic ruling
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A written address accompanying the application was served on July 10, 2025. The defense urged the court to adopt the submission and discharge and acquit both defendants.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned the ruling on a no-case submission by former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and his co-defendant, former Commissioner of Finance Omodachi Okolobia, to July 23, 2025.
The duo faces an 11-count amended charge for allegedly diverting N3.1 billion, funds reportedly derived from the sale of Benue State government shares managed by Benue Investment and Property Company Limited through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
During Friday’s proceedings, defense counsels Chenelu Ogbozor and Paul Erokoro, SAN, informed the court of their no-case submission filed on May 28, 2025, pursuant to Sections 302 and 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
A written address accompanying the application was served on July 10, 2025. The defense urged the court to adopt the submission and discharge and acquit both defendants.
In response, prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, presented a counter-submission dated July 2025, with an attached written address.
Jacobs argued that the defense’s application lacked merit and substance, urging the court to dismiss it.
Justice Lifu adjourned the case to July 23, 2025, for a ruling on the no-case submission, which will determine whether the defendants will proceed to trial or be acquitted based on the prosecution’s evidence.
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