After 11 years, Suswam’s N3.1bn corruption trial enters final phase as court fixes July 16 for arguments

The long-running trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, over an alleged N3.1 billion fraud has entered its final phase, with the Federal High Court in Abuja fixing July 16, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.

The development marks a significant milestone in one of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s oldest pending corruption cases, which has remained before the courts for more than 11 years.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, adjourned proceedings on Wednesday after both the prosecution and defence concluded the presentation of their cases.

Suswam is standing trial alongside his former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Okolobia, on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged theft, criminal breach of trust, illegal award of contracts and money laundering involving N3.1 billion.

According to the EFCC, the funds were allegedly proceeds from the sale of the Benue State Government’s shares in Benue Cement Company.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants diverted the money through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.

During the course of the trial, the EFCC called nine witnesses to support its case against the former governor and his co-defendant.

Suswam, however, was the only witness who testified for the defence before both parties closed their respective cases.

The case has witnessed several twists and judicial reassignments since it was first instituted.

The defendants were initially arraigned in November 2015 before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The matter was later transferred to Justice Okon Abang before his elevation to the Court of Appeal. Following a decision of the Court of Appeal, the case returned to Justice Mohammed, where the prosecution was on the verge of closing its case in December 2023.

However, Justice Mohammed’s elevation to the Court of Appeal led to another reassignment of the case, this time to Justice Lifu, resulting in a fresh trial.

The defendants were subsequently re-arraigned before Justice Lifu, marking another phase in the protracted legal proceedings.

After the prosecution closed its case with nine witnesses, Suswam and Okolobia filed a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence presented was insufficient to require them to open their defence.

Justice Lifu, however, dismissed the application on July 23, 2025, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring both defendants to answer the allegations against them.

Following the ruling, the defence opened its case on October 10, 2025, with Suswam taking the witness stand.

With both sides now having concluded their cases, the court is expected to hear final written addresses on July 16 before reserving judgment in the high-profile corruption trial that has spanned more than a decade.