THE on-going trial of the former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam and the Finance Commissioner under his administration, Omodachi Oklobia was on Tuesday stalled because of the illness of the fourth prosecution witness (PW4).
When the matter was called yesterday, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) informed the court that, the witness, Abubakar Umar was down with malaria but managed to appear because of the respect he has for the court.
Jacobs, however, prayed the court for a short adjournment as the witness cannot withstand the hurdles of cross-examination due to his illness.
Other parties in the matter, including Joseph Daudu (SAN), representing the former Governor did not oppose the request for short adjournment and the trial Judge, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed adjourned to November 27, 2018, for continuation of trial.
Recalled that the court had in December last year declared the witness, who is a Bureau De Change operator hostile due to the inconsistencies in the witness’ testimony and his earlier extra-judicial statement made before the Commission.
The Judge’s declaration followed an application in that direction by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), having noticed inconsistencies in his testimony and his statement at the Commission.
Suswam and the Finance Commissioner under his administration are standing trial for allegedly defrauding Benue State government of the sum of N3.1 billion while in office.
EFCC, on November 10, 2015, arraigned them in court on behalf of the Federal Government on a 9-count charge bordering on allegations of financial impropriety and money laundering.
They pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.
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