The trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, in a N3.1 billion money laundering case has been adjourned by the Federal High Court in Abuja until May 8, 2024.
An official circular from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, confirmed this development.
According to the circular, “Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has set May 8 and 10, 2024, for the continuation of the trial of Gabriel Suswan, former governor of Benue State, in the N3.1 billion money laundering case brought against him by EFCC.”
It was reported that Suswam was accused of trying to sway the verdict of his trial by allegedly offering a bribe to the former judge presiding over the case, Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Sources claim that Suswam purportedly handed over the equivalent of N500 million (in foreign currency) to the judge at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja in 2019.
EFCC alleged that Suswam sold shares belonging to the Benue State Investment and Property Company and diverted a part of the proceeds (N3,111,008,018.51) to Fanfash Resources, a company with a Zenith Bank account owned by Abubakar Umar, who runs a Bureau de Change in Abuja.
The money was later withdrawn, converted into foreign currencies, and reportedly delivered to the former governor at his residence.