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Tag: Gabriel Suswam

  • Witness: How I delivered $15.8m cash to ex-Gov Suswam at home

    Witness: How I delivered $15.8m cash to ex-Gov Suswam at home

    A witness has told the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja how he converted the sum of ₦3.1 billion wired to him by ex-Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and delivered a cash equivalent of $15.8m to him at his Maitama, Abuja residence.

    According to prosecution witness Abubakar Umar, the transaction took place in 2014 when Suswan held sway as governor.

    The ex-governor is currently facing trial alongside his finance commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia, for allegedly laundering money to the tune of ₦3.1 billion.

    The Head, Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Dele Oyewale, said in a statement yesterday that the ₦3.1 billion was proceeds from the sales of the state government’s shares held on its behalf by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, sold through  Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.

    Umar, a bureau de change operator and CEO of Fanffash Resources, told the court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu that the money was transferred to him through a proxy in tranches; the first of which was allegedly lodged in his account on August 8, 2014.

    The first tranche was ₦413 million, he claimed, while the balance of ₦3.1 billion came later.

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    Umar, who was led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said the proxy who made the naira transfers to him was a woman.

    He said he had to change a total sum of ₦3.1 billion to dollars, which he said amounted to $15.8 million at the rate of ₦197 to a dollar, and delivered same to Suswam.

    His words: “One day in 2014, when I was in the office, the former governor of Benue State asked me to meet him in his house in Maitama, Abuja.

    “I went and met him in the house together with one fair woman. He asked me to give the woman my account number. I gave the woman my Zenith Bank account number. The woman said she would send money into the account.

    “On the 8th of August 2014, N413 million was transferred into my account. Based on this, I called the former governor and he told me to change the money to dollars. I asked him to give me time to do that.

    “Three days after I bought the dollar equivalent, I called the former governor and informed him that the money was ready. He then asked me to take the money to his house in Maitama, near Jumat Mosque.

    “I told him that he should inform the security at the gate that I was coming, if not, they would not allow me access into the gate. I took a cab to the house, and after I arrived at the house, I knocked at the gate and they opened.

    “I told them my name. They opened the first and second gates and I sat in the waiting room where he came and met me. I then brought out the money, which we both confirmed to be the equivalent of the N413 million. The exchange rate then was N197.

    “On the 12th of September 2014, N637 million was transferred into my account. After about 40 minutes, another N363 million was also transferred into my account.

    “On 13th October 2014, N630,008,050 (Six Hundred and Thirty Million, Eight Thousand and Fifty Naira) was also transferred into my account.

    “On 17th October 2014, 1,068,000,000 (One Billion, Sixty-eight Million) was transferred into my account. It was the woman that was directed by the former governor to do the transfers.

    “The total amount transferred to my account was N3 billion.”

    The witness, who said he was neither arrested by the EFCC for giving any testimony in favour of the defendant nor threatened by the Commission to give evidence against the defendant, added that he did not have receipts for the transactions.

    Justice Lifu adjourned the matter till October 4, 2024.

  • Suswan, Gemade, others in battle for Senate

    There will be a fierce battle in Benue North East Senatorial Zone next year.

    Ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) for zone A. Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Barnabas Gemade is  the  standard bearer of Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Former Military Administrator of Katsina State Col. Joseph Akaagerger has picked the ticket of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) to represent the zone. The All Progressive Congress (APC) has presented former Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) Boss Mrs. Mimi Orubibi  as it candidate in Zone A.

    Unlike in 2015, when Zone A  was a battle ground between Gemade and Suswam, Akaageger is throwing his hat in the ring.

     

    Suswam:

    Since the former governor lost the 2015 senatorial election to Gemade, he has remained in the party and worked assiduously to take a second shot at the seat in 2019.

    Suswam, unlike Gemade, remained in the PDP since he joined the party. Gemade left the party and joined the APC when it was obvious that he was not going to win the primary.

    Gemade defeated Suswam as an incumbent governor in 2015.

    Before Gemade defected from APC alongside Governor Samuel Ortom to the PDP,  Suswam was the sole financier of the  party, and  congresses had been completed with the former governor having a upper hand.

    At the zonal level, it is the same story as Suswam is firmly in control of PDP structures. This accounts for the reason why Gemade defected to the SDP, less than one month after he left the APC.

    Gemade accused Ortom of betraying him in the political realignment that saw both of them defected.  But, Ortom’s media aide Tahav Agerzua dismissed the allegation.

    The former governor is determined.

    He is not a push over in the senatorial zone. His greatest weapon is his benevolence. He commands a cult- like followership, with a  large crowd of supporters ready to die for his cause.

    Dom Agya, as the former governor is known by his admirers, has empowered many people and given many opportunities to youths and women in the zone and are behind him in his quest to represent the zone in the Senate.

     

    Gemade:

    A founding member of the PDP, National Chairman and Board of Trustees.

    Gemade, a two term senator, is the SDP senatorial candidate for the zone for 2019 election.

    The former chairman of PDP is a candidate to beat, having occupied the seat for eight years.

    Gemade has executed many protects in the zone.

    Those who want Gemade out are not complaining about his achievements, but they are saying that he has completed eight years and should give way. Others are saying he is too old.

    But, Gemade is not  bothered. He is going about his campaigns with a mind set that he is the better candidate.

     

    Orubibi:

    Little is  known about this woman until she was appointed the Chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Service ( BIRS) through the influence of Senator George Akume  at the inception of the Ortom administration.

    She was however, fired after three years in the saddle, following disagreement between Ortom and his estranged god father, Akume.

    She emerged after beating four other candidates in the APC primary.

    The argument by political pundits is that she is married to Niger Delta man, although she hails from Kwande Local Government area, which is laying claims to the senate seat.

    On the hand, she is a  leading candidate because of the popularity of the APC  in the state, coupled with the facts that she is favoured by zoning.

     

    Akaagerger:

    The former military administrator defeated Gemade and was elected senator for four years. His attempt to return to the senate failed as Gemade defeated him.

    Akaagerger was the leader of SDP in Benue State before Gemade came and sent  him packing. He cried fowl. But, the weight of the former national chairman was too much for the national leadership of the SDP toy with as they handled him the party structures.

    Akaagerger has picked the PRP, but how can “The Ambe u Konshisha“ go with the party( PRP)  which is not known in Benue?

     

  • Ortom restates call for Intelligence gathering

    Governor Samuel Ortom has restated his call on the people of the state to assist the security agencies to fight crime through intelligence gathering.

    He said this in Chito, Ukum Local Government Area at the late burial of Pa David Ashaver, father of his former Special Adviser on revenue and taxation, Mr. Benjamin Ashaver.

    The Governor lamented the spate of criminality including assassinations and kidnapping in the area and blamed it on some wayward youths whom he said had become a clog in the wheel of development of their communities.

    He noted that he, in collaboration with religious and traditional leaders had done everything under the law to ensure peace in the Sankera axis and Benue at large including disarming those in possession of illegal weapons.

    Governor Ortom however regretted that some of the youth who willingly returned their arms later returned to the wild and were perpetrating various forms of atrocities in the society.

    He urged people of the area to be bold and volunteer information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminals in their communities, stressing that it was only by doing so that they could complement government efforts towards addressing insecurity.

    Governor Ortom condoled his former appointee and the entire Ashaver family over the death and described the chief mourner, Dr Benjamin Ashaver as a trusted ally with whom he a good working relationship.

    Read Also: Prove your claims, Ortom challenges Oshiomhole

    Former Governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, represented by member of the State Assembly, Dr Kester Kyenge, Senator Barnabas Gemade, represented by for Logo council chairman, Mr Mike Kondoun, in separate orations extolled the virtues of the deceased.

    Member representing Sankera Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Mr. Emmanuel Udende, prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Royal fathers in the area, Chiefs Orkaa Kaave and Demekpe Ijah, as well as Chairman of Ukum local government council, Mr. Iber Logo, while praying God to console the bereaved family, also appealed to Governor Ortom to consider the grading of Sankera-Chito-Vaase road to ease movement in the area.

    In a funeral service, Director NKST Media Services Mkar, Reverend Terungwa Awen, charged Christians to obey Biblical injunctions in preparation for God’s judgment, while the chief mourner,

    Mr. Benjamin Ashaver, expressed appreciation to Governor Ortom and all those who found time to mourn with them in their bereavement.

  • Suswam arraigned on third charge, gets 500m bail

    Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam was arraigned on Friday before the Federal High Court, Abuja on a three-count charge of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms.

    Suswam is, in the charge filed by the Federal Government on June 26 this year, accused illegally concealing weapons in his Mercedes Benz 550 4Matic car with Registration No: BWR 135 AH at parked at Dunes Investment and Properties Ltd, No. 44 Aguiyi lronsi Way, Maitama, Abuja,

    He is also accused of “converting 25 designer wrist watches worth several millions of naira being properties you derived directly from corruption and concealed in your Mercedes Benz 550 4Matic with Registration No BWR 135 AH.”

    Read Also:Benue PDP demands release of former Governor Suswam

    The ex-Governor was also accused of being in possession of “one(l) Gloek Pistol with Serial Number KML 275, one (1) Mini rifle with Serial Number 54976 and One(l) AK 47 with Serial Number 5622620063, which weapons were concealed in your Mercedes Benz 550 4Matic car with Registration No: BWR 135 AH.”

    Suswam pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him on Friday before Justice Babatunde Quadri.

    The latest charge brings to three the number of criminal charges now pending against Suswam before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The ex-Governor is accused of diverting proceeds of the sale of Benue State’s investment in some companies. The case is pending before Justice Ahmed Mohammed.

    He is, in the second charge, accused of diverting funds meant for SURE P projects in the state. The case was pending before Justice Gabriel Kolawole before the judge’s recent elevation to the Court of Appeal. The case is expected to be reassigned to a new judge.

    After his arraignment on Friday, prosecution lawyer, Abubakar Kayode Alilu sought a date for the commencement of trial. He urged the court order that the defendant be remanded in prison.

    Suswam’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN) informed the court about his client’s pending bail application.

    Erokoro moved the application, which Justice Quadri granted. The judge admitted Suswam to bail at N500 million and one surety at the same amount.

    The Judge said the surety, who must be a residence of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), should swear to an affidavit of means, following which the surety’s residential address is to be verified by officials of the court.

    The judge adjourned to October 24 this year for the commencement of trial.

  • Court orders PDP to pay N180m professional fee to SAN

    Justice Jude Okeke of FCT High Court, Maitama, on Tuesday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), to pay N180 million to Mr Samuel Okutepa ( SAN  ) being his professional fee.

    Okeke who delivered judgment in a suit filed by Okutepa against the PDP, said Okutepa deserved to be paid the money for handling the cases for the party.

    “The defendant is directed to pay the claimant N180 million being the earned professional fee for defending and prosecuting their cases listed out in the applicant’s statements of claims.’’

    The court also ordered PDP to pay N50, 000 to Okutepa for successfully handling the cases.

    The judge held that it was not right for the PDP not to pay for the work they knew was well handled by the plaintiff.

    He said that the defendant claimed that they did not give him job to do,  as no legal agreement was signed by the parties.

    The judge said that in the records before the court, the applicant was given the brief by the former Governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswam, and the Attorney General of Benue.

    Read Also: ‘PDP, Jonathan failed Niger Delta’

    He added that the constitution of PDP recognised a state governor as a high officer who can give instructions on behalf of the party.

    “The instructions given to the applicant to handle the matter is binding on the PDP.

    ” The defendant was aware that the applicant conducted the cases and never questioned the instructions of the governor.

    ” The defendant kept quiet and benefited from his services, permitted and encouraged him to labour only to claim that a legal contract was not signed.

    ” The defendant is not in denial that the applicant did not handle the cases, but they claimed they did not engage him,” he held.

    Some of the cases handled by Okutepa were: Terver Kakih Vs PDP and three others, three cases at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, among others.

    NAN

  • Benue again: Three killed in Suswam’s town

    Benue again: Three killed in Suswam’s town

    Three persons have been reported dead following last night attack on Anyiin, the country home of the ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Benue State.

    Recall that the community in Gaambetiev, Logo Local Government Area had previously come under heavy attack.

    The gunmen apart from killing three people ransacked three roadside kiosks and made away with over one hundred mobile phones, destroyed assorted drinks and other valuables.

    According to a community leader in Anyiin Chief Tardoo Ugo, told The Nation that they heard sporadic shootings which began at 9:00 PM on Wednesday night and lasted until Thursday morning, leaving blood and tears.

    As at press time, House of Assembly member representing Logo state constituency Dr Kester Ikyenge was in Anyiin to lend support to the victims and assess the damage done.

    Dr Ikyenge in a telephone interview with The Nation appeared to the Federal and state government to provide security for his constituent as it is the primary responsibility of governance.

    The names of those killed are  Mr Tatyough Uombor from Turan Mr Gbenger Orakundu of Mbazar, Tombo ward, and Mr Angar Ude Jugu also from Mbazar, Tombo ward all in Logo local government area in Benue state.

  • N3.1bn fraud: Absence of second defendant stalls Suswam’s trial

    N3.1bn fraud: Absence of second defendant stalls Suswam’s trial

    The trial of former Benue governor, Mr Gabriel Suswam, was on Wednesday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, due to absence of the second defendant, Omadachi Oklobia.

    Suswam and Oklobia are standing trial before Justice Ahmed Mohammed on allegations of fraud and money laundering.

    But, the court was informed that Oklobia could not be at Wednesday’s proceeding because he was in Kuje prison on a remand ordered on Monday by another high court in Abuja.

    Both defendants are also facing trial before Justice Gabriel Kolawale on a 32-count charge bordering on fraud.

    When they appeared before Kolawale on Monday, they were granted bail, but while Suswam perfected his bail conditions and had freedom, Oklobia has not been able to do so.

    “My client was remanded on Monday.

    “He was granted bail, but he has yet to perfect his bail conditions because one of the sureties we procured for him was rejected,” Oklobia’s counsel, Mr A.I Samson, told the court.

    Samson therefore prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the defence to perfect his client’s bail conditions so that he would be free to attend trial.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr A.O Atolagbe, did not oppose the application for adjournment, but prayed the court to fix a day for the case before proceeding on vacation.

    The judge, however, adjourned the matter until Sept. 28 since there was no free date in the court’s calendar before the vacation.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Suswam and Oklobia are being jointly tried in two separate matters before two judges in the Federal High Court.

    The matter before Justice Mohammed involves a nine-count charge bordering on laundering of about N3.1 billion, while the 32-count charge matter is before Justice Kolawale and involves fraud and diversion of funds.

  • Former Governor, two others in prison over alleged diversion of N9.69b

    Former Governor, two others in prison over alleged diversion of N9.69b

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that a former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, an ex-Finance Commissioner Omadachi Oklobia and one other be remanded in Kuje prison, following their arraignment for allegedly diverting N9.79billion public funds.

    Justice Kolawole ordered that Suswam, Oklobia and a former Accountant, Benue State Government House Administration, Mrs. Janet Aluga, should to remain in prison pending when they are able to meet the conditions attached to the bail granted them yesterday.

    The three were arraigned on a 32-count charge, in which they were among others, accused of diverting N9,791,602,453.8 meant for the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) scheme and police reform, between 2012 and 2015.

    The offence was allegedly committed when Suswam was the governor and the other two served in their various capacities.

    When the charge was read to them, they pleaded not guilty, following which their lawyers raised the issue of bail.

    The charge was filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on March 27, 2015

    Lawyer to Suswam and Oklobia – Tawo Tawo (SAN) – informed the court that he has filed bail applications for his clients. He urged the court to adopt the November 10, 2015 ruling by Justice Ahmed Mohammed (before who Suswam and Oklobia are being tried on a separate case) granting bail to his clients.

    Lawyer to Mrs. Aluga, Innocent Daa’gba, also informed the court about a similar bail application he filed on June 8, 2017 for his client.

    Lead prosecuting lawyer, Aminu Alilu, did not object to the applications for bail, but said he preferred to leave the issue of whether or not bail should be granted to the defendants at the discretion of the court.

    Justice Kolawole granted bail to the defendants by adopting, but with little variation, the conditions in the bail earlier granted Suswam and Oklobia by Justice Mohammed.

    Justice Kolawole admitted the three to bail at N250 million each, with one surety, who must be a director or principal officer not below Grade Level 12 of any agency of the Federal Government, state or local government area in any part of the country.

    He said where the defendants cannot find a government official, they are at liberty to present “a person who owns a national honour” as sureties.

    Justice Kolawole ordered that the three defendants should be remanded in prison until the court’s Deputy Registrar (DCR) Litigation verified the documents to be tendered by the defendants and the prison authorities advised to release them.

    The defendant, earlier in the proceedings, rejected a proposal by the prosecution to transfer the case from the Abuja, to the Makurdi, Benue State division of the court. They argued that the state of insecurity, which informed the decision of the prosecution to file the case in Abuja earlier in March, still persists.

    Justice Kolawole has adjourned to October 10 for the commencement of trial.

    Suswam and Oklobia are being tried before Justice Mohammed (also at the Federal High Court, Abuja) by the (EFCC on a separate charge of alleged diversion of about N3 billion proceeds from the sale of Benue State’s shares in some companies.

  • Suswam rejects transfer of trial to Benue

    Suswam rejects transfer of trial to Benue

    A former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, and two of his former aides on Monday rejected Federal Government’s proposal to transfer their trial from Abuja to Benue.

    The former governor and his aides are standing trial for allegedly diverting the state’s N9.79 billion.

    The affected aides are – former commissioner in the state, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, and the former Accountant in Benue State Government House, Mrs. Janet Aluga.

    The fund, according to the prosecution, was earmarked for police reform and the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

    The SUEE-P was introduced by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration following the removal of fuel subsidy in 2012.

    The prosecution accused the defendants of conspiracy, conversion of property derived directly from corruption, collaboration to conceal property derived from corruption, obtaining by false pretence and accepting cash payments exceeding the amount authorised by law.

    The offences, according to the prosecution, were committed between 2012 and 2015.

  • Fulani herdsmen attack two Benue communities

    Fulani herdsmen attack two Benue communities

    Six days after Fulani herdsmen invaded Logo local government area, home of ex-governor, Gabriel Suswam killing about twenty people, the insurgents between Tuesday and Wednesday again made a violent incursion into the Mbavuur council ward of the local government killing four people and injuring 16 others.

    The herders also proceeded to Mbaya council ward in neighbouring Buruku local government area where they killed two people and overran the entire council ward with more than 4, 000 cattle grazing freely in the area. This brings to six the total number of people killed during the week.

    The twin attacks came as Governor, Samuel Ortom on Friday allegedly disowned his Special Assistant on Fulani Matters who doubles as National Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria Benue State chapter, Alhaji Garus Gololo over comments he allegedly uttered on the “presence of herdsmen in parts of the state”.

    In Logo Local government, former chairman of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Ndiisaa Terhemen told The Nation that the invaders first stormed the Tse-Igboughul village on Tuesday about 8pm when most people had gone to bed and were shooting randomly during which two people were killed.Terhemen added that the attack which spilled over to the next day (Wednesday), saw the killing of four people while ten others who sustained varying degrees of gunshot wounds were rushed to hospitals in Zaki-Biam and Ugba, headquarters of the local government for treatment.

    The Nation gathered that in Buruku, the homestead of a member of the House of Representatives representing Buruku constituency, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Yisa Orker Jev, the invaders penetrated several communities to Mbaya council ward where they murdered two victims and left them in their pool of blood, bringing the total number of people killed as at press time to about eight.

    Residents who deserted their homes in the two local governments left their food items and livestock at the mercy of the insurgents.

    Sources from the affected communities who spoke with our correspondent said the attack which came at the peak of farming activities, has grounded all economic and social services as some schools, hospitals and business premises have been forced to close up.

    Reacting, the Chairman of All Progressives Congress in the local government, Mr. Mbatseen Terngu, confirmed the killing, saying over 4,000 Fulani cattle were grazing roaming freely in the area with the herdsmen destroying their farmlands.

    An aide to Hon. Orker Jev, Desmond Ikyume, told Saturday Nation  that the attackers made incursion at about 8 pm on Tuesday night and surrounded the village, adding that what followed was sporadic shootings and massive exit of inhabitants.

    Mr. Ikyume added that one of the victims was stabbed to death in the stomach with a sword, adding that corpses of the victims were deposited at the hospital.

    Meanwhile, Governor Ortom on Friday said he has no connection with his Special Adviser on Fulani Matters, Alhaji Garus Gololoany longer, as he said, he is neither his appointee at the time he was quoted to have granted the interviews nor at the time of issuing this press statement”.

    Governor Ortom in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, released to journalists in Makurdi, accused the Fulani chief of disputing the remarks he (Ortom) earlier made that herdsmen have taken over twelve local government areas in the state.

    “We wish to state that as a citizen of this country who enjoys the right to freedom of speech, Mallam Gololo is at liberty to air his opinion on any issue of national or state interest, whether or not his opinion is right as it is evident in the said publications that he failed to get his facts correct”.

    “If indeed he made the published comments, they represent his personal skewed views, have no connection with the true security situation in the state and remain irrelevant as far as the present administration is concerned”.

    The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Joel Yamu said he was “not aware of the attack” and tasked our correspondent “to cross your facts”.