N3.1B Fraud: Suswam Bows To EFCC, Dodges Probe Panel

[contextly_auto_sidebar id=”1CUkB3Nze9qOEBgWsL26Qvqdl03oE5Zf”]The immediate past governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam on Wednesday, December 9, has revealed he is ready to face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Leadership reports.

However, Suswam disclosed that he will not appear before any probe panel sitting in Makurdi.

This comes after Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Commission of Inquiry in Benue state had summoned the ex-governor to appear before it to provide relevant information and documents relating to allegations of financial misappropriation recorded during his tenure as governor.

But in a statement yesterday, Suswam revealed he wasn’t going to appear before the panel. His lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) informed the probe panel that the non-appearance of his client was due to the fact that same allegations were already being dealt with at the EFCC.

Dauda added that the state executive council under Suswam granted approvals for its actions which are documented.

The panel however adjourned proceedings, and fixed the hearing of the case at a later date following Suswam unavailability.

Governor Samuel Ortom had set up a judicial commission of inquiry in August to look into the financial engagement of Suswam’s administration.

Suswam was arraigned before a court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, November 4 over allegations of N3.1 billion fraud.

The EFCC had at a resumed trial told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja how Suswam alongside his Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Okolobia, diverted over N3.1bn proceeds from the state shares sold during his tenure as governor of the state.

While, Janet Aluga, the Benue government house accountant recently disclosed how she took millions of naira to Suswam at the governor’s Lodge in Makurdi, from the Ministry of Finance, without following due process.