The trial of former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, for alleged financial misappropriation, was yesterday stalled due to his ill health.
Suswam and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Oklobia, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a nine-count charge of laundering N3.1 billion.
They were alleged to have diverted proceeds of the sale of shares of the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.
The offence, the EFCC said, is punishable under Section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.
At the resumed trial before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, Suswam’s lawyer Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) told the court his client was admitted at an Abuja hospital.
According to Raji, he took ill while being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Raji showed a copy of the medical report to the prosecuting counsel, Mr. A.O. Atolagbe, and the court.
He prayed the court for an adjournment to allow his client get treatment to enable him attend trial. The prosecution did not object .
“I was informed this morning of the first defendant’s ill health and I can confirm that I have seen the report,” he said.
Justice Mohammed adjourned till June 21 and June 22.