By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented its ninth and final prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, over alleged diversion of public funds amounting to N3.1 billion.
According to an official signed statement by the Commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the duo are being tried on an amended 11-count charge bordering on the alleged diversion of proceeds from the sale of shares belonging to the Benue State Government, held in trust by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.
During proceedings on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, prosecution counsel A.O. Atolagbe informed the court that the EFCC was closing its case with the testimony of the ninth prosecution witness (PW9), following the inability of the tenth witness, Mrs. Shiedu Awade, to testify due to illness.
PW9, an EFCC investigator identified as Ape Sunday, told the court that Mrs. Awade, a former cashier and executive officer at Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, has been admitted to the National Hospital, Abuja, and is unable to appear in court because of the severity of her condition.
In reaction to the prosecution’s closure, counsels to the first and second defendants, C.E. Ugbozor and Paul Erokoro, SAN, respectively, informed the court of their intention to file a no-case submission and requested 14 days to do so. The prosecution also requested 21 days to file its response.
Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to June 24, 2025, for the adoption of the defence’s no-case submission.
