Ex-Benue Gov Suswam’s N3.1bn fraud trial suffers fresh delay after 10 years

The trial of former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, over an alleged N3.1 billion fraud, has once again suffered a setback, extending a legal battle that has now dragged for more than a decade.

Suswam, who is standing trial alongside his former Commissioner of Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was expected to open his defence on Monday, September 22, 2025. Instead, his lawyers asked for yet another adjournment.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is accusing the duo of diverting N3.1 billion from the sale of Benue State shares held on its behalf by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.

Justice Lifu had already dismissed Suswam’s no-case submission in July and ordered him to commence his defence. But his counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, told the court on Monday that one of his team members, Chenelu Ogbozor, was on hospital admission.

He also cited an appeal filed against the ruling on the no-case submission, insisting the trial court should hold off until the appeal is determined.

Prosecuting counsel, A.O. Atolagbe, opposed the move, accusing the defence of deliberately stalling the matter.
“We had over two months during the court recess to prepare. This case has been up for 10 years. They’ve had more than enough time,” he argued.

Visibly frustrated, Justice Lifu lamented the endless delays.

“This case has been on for 10 years. No matter what, a case should not go on for 10 years,” he said, describing how he even struggled to locate the case file that morning.

The matter has now been adjourned till October 10, 2025, for Suswam to finally open his defence.