The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged N3 billion fraud.
Suswam was re-arraigned on EFCC’s amended charges of 2020 alongside former Commissioner for Finance in Benue, Omadachi Oklobia on 11-count charges bordering on theft, criminal breach of trust, illegal award of contracts and money laundering to the tune of N3.1 billion.
They were alleged to have diverted the funds from the Benue shares of the Dangote Cement, which was meant for investment into Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd.
Suswam, who was first arraigned in November 2015 also alongside Okolobia, denied the charges.
Defence lawyers, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN) and Paul Erokoro (SAN) both pleaded for the grant of bail as was previously being enjoyed by the defendants.
The prosecution counsel, Leke Atolagbe did not object to the request.
Justice Peter Lifu granted the application and adjourned the matter to April 29 for a hearing.