Tag: Suswam

Former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam has denied rumours that he is on the run.

He added that he will soon return to the country after his treatment to answer invitations from security agencies, if extended to him.

Suswam’s response, taken from his facebook page, followed allegations by the government that he ran away to evade arrest.

The former governor, who described the allegation as a most pedestrian lie, said: “I will come back after my medicals to answer any invitation from security agencies whenever such is extended to me.

“It has been over a year since power changed hands from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“This change of power came through peaceful, free and fair elections. My pride remains that this happened under my watch as governor and I am grateful to God that I was able to surmount the pressures of high office and placed the sovereignty of the people above personal interests.

“By the time we were leaving power, we had whetted the people’s appetite and lifted their democratic tastes to certain standards above what previously obtained.

“It is the reality of having attained such standards of democracy that today places a minimum level of expectation by the people on the ruling APC-led government in Benue State. And these are expectations that could only be met through ingenious application of available resources to the execution of projects, which are of priority to the people.

“While I and the others being arrested daily may have nothing to fear, it could never be ignored that such a trend is hardly helpful to the quest for a better and stronger Benue, which is only possible under an atmosphere of unity of purpose.

“I call on all PDP faithful to remain steadfast, law-abiding and understand that the role of the opposition, which is a necessity thrust on us all by historic circumstances, is one we must discharge with a view to building our state more than any other thing else.”

Former Governor of Benue State Gabriel Suswam has denied laying landmines for his successor, Governor Samuel Ortom. He said his administration did not leave a N140 billion debt as claimed by Ortom.

Suswam, who made the clarifications in a statement by his Special Assistant, Terkaa Mamwoo, said the probe panel set up by Ortom discovered that his government borrowed only N18 billion from the issuance of Bonds.

The statement reads: “The attention of His Excellency, Gabriel Suswam, former Governor of Benue State, has been drawn to a report credited to Governor Samuel Ortom, accusing him of deliberately creating problems for his administration.

“According to the report, Governor Ortom blamed his predecessor for causing the problems confronting his administration because he allegedly looted the state’s treasury.

“Dr. Suswam wishes to state emphatically that his administration did not deliberately lay any landmines for the succeeding administration since his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had a candidate who was hoping to take over from him. He couldn’t have deliberately created hurdles to make the succeeding administration fail.”

Suswam said the alleged debt of N140 billion credited to his tenure was false.

“The much touted N140 billion debt, allegedly left behind by our administration exists only in the imagination of the governor who has continued to use the non-existent figure as a cover up for his ineptitude and lack-lustre performance.

“The report of the probe panel instituted by Ortom’s administration acknowledged that the Suswam administration borrowed only N18 billion from issuance of Bonds, so where did governor Ortom get the N140 billion he has been peddling about?

“It is instructive to state that the Suswam administration did not divert N107 billion as claimed by the panel’s report, as the administration applied the funds accruing to the state to provide infrastructure.

“This explains why governor Ortom is seeking a refund of N6 billion from the Federal Government, being monies expended by the Suswam administration on federal roads. If the Suswam administration did not expend money on infrastructure, what then is the basis of Ortom’s claim of N6 billion from the Federal Government?

“That said, it is most laughable that governor Ortom would blame his woes on a non-existent N140 billion debt allegedly left by the Suswam administration over a period of eight, while he sees nothing wrong in his administration borrowing over N56 billion within the first six months in office, without anything to show for it.

“The Law of Equity demands that those who come before it must come with clean hands. Governor Ortom has clearly embarked on this campaign of calumny against me with dirty and soiled hands. My successor is, therefore, bound by the Law of Equity to first of all justify the N56 billion loan already taken by him and the money realised from multiple taxation his administration has imposed on the poor.

“He should also explain to the people, how the N28 billion bailout funds meant for the payment of salary arrears were spent, and why civil servants are still owed over seven months salaries, even after the bailout was received,” the statement added.

Political associates of ex-Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam were late on Tuesday elected into the executive committee (exco) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the congress held in Makurdi.

Mr. John Ngbede, a former commissioner for Water and Environment and later that of Works and Transport was elected as the chairman, while Moses Audu is the new secretary.

Dr. Tsetim Ayarhwer becomes the deputy chairman. A seasoned journalist and publisher, Comrade Bemgba Iortyom, emerged as the publicity secretary.

Others elected at the peaceful congress are Donald Tor, (assistant organising secretary) and Abrahm Tamenor, (auditor).

The result of the congress shows that Suswam is in control of the party structure in the state ahead of the national convention in Port Harcourt.

The prosecution in the trial of former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and the ex-Finance Commissioner, Okpanachi Oklobia, has accused the defence team of tampering with its witnesses.

Lead prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) made the allegation yesterday at the resumption of proceedings.

Suswam and Oklobia are being tried before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for allegedly diverting about N3.111 billion, proceeding of the sales of Benue State’s shares in some companies.

Jacobs’ allegation was informed by the change of testimony by a prosecution witness, Abubakar Umar, who contradicted his statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Umar, the fourth prosecution witness, who admitted he was instructed by Suswam to convert the N3.111 billion to dollars, in a statement to the EFCC, claimed to have handed the dollar equivalent to Suswam in his Abuja home in Maitama.

But yesterday, Umar, who runs a bureau de change, Famffash Global Resources,  told the court that although funds were paid from Suswma to his account for conversion to dollars, he took the cash to the Government House in Makurdi. He also said he did not know whether Suswam saw the money or not.

Jacobs, taken aback by the witness change of mind, reminded Umar that, in his written statement, he claimed to have handed the money to Suswam in Abuja.

The witness admitted saying so in his statement, but insisted yesterday that he took the money to Benue Government House.

A  flustered Jacobs asked the court for an adjournment to enable “the prosecution put its house in order.”

Lawyers to the defendants, Joseph Daudu (SAN) and A. Anuga objected to Jacobs’ request, alleging that such was intended to enable prosecution ‘intimidate, torture and harass the witness.

They urged the court to make an order restraining the prosecution from accessing the witness; arresting, intimidating and harassing him before the next adjourned date.

Anuga argued that the witness, having been in court, was now the property of the court and until he concluded his testimony, nobody should be allowed access to him.

Daudu associated himself with Anuga’s submission, saying the allegation that the witness could be tortured and harassed by agents of the state was profound. He sought an order protecting the witness.

Responding, Jacobs said “the reason I asked for an adjournment is for us to put our house in order. And if I am going to treat him (Umar) as a hostile witness and ask the court to treat him so, I need to gather evidence to do that.”

He denied claims by Daudu and Anuga that the witness could be intimidated or tortured by the state.

“This witness has not been declared as an hostile witness. He still remains a prosecution witness. The prosecution produced him this morning in court and has not finished the examination-in-chief of the witness.

“So, the prosecution is still at liberty to arrange the manner and the way the examination-in-chief should be conducted with its witness. Therefore, the order being sought to shield the witness from the prosecution is premature and irrelevant.

“The vehement manner that they are going about the protection of the witness, goes to confirm our suspicion as to the manner in which our witnesses are being interfered with. Even those who had given evidence are being harrased.  I have complained to counsel.

“If the application is granted, that will amount to rubber-stamping the attempts that are being made on my witnesses,” he said.

Justice Mohammed held that since there was no evidence from defence that Jacobs would harass or torture the witness before the next date, the court would allow the prosecution time to put its house in order.

Earlier, Umar told the court how money was converted to dollars and given to the governor.

Led in evidence by Jacobs, Umar said sometime in August, 2014 while he was in his office at Zone 4 Plaza, Suswan requested his account details so that money could be deposited into it.

“The former governor (Suswan) called and asked me to see him in his house, Maitama. When I got there, a fair lady was introduced to me who requested my account details so that money can be deposited into it”, Umar said.

He stated that after the money was deposited in his account, he was asked to change it to dollars and take it to Suswan’s house in Maitama.

Umar said six lodgments were made into his account.

On how the lodgments were made, Umar said “ the first lodgment of N413 million was made on August 8, 2014.

‘’On September 12, 2014, two lodgments of N363 million and N637 million were made.

“Also, N630 million and N8,018,000.08 were lodged in his account on October 13, 2014’’.

He further stated that on October 17, 2014,  N1.68 billion was lodged in his account,” he said.

In all, Umar said N3.111 billion was paid into his account,  which was converted to dollars and paid in batches to Suswam.

 Further hearing has been fixed for May 9.

The absence of the prosecution lawyer stalled proceedings yesterday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the trial of businessman, Raymond Dolpesi and his firm, Daar Holding and Investment Limited.

Dokpesi and his firm were arraigned on February 17 on a six-count charge of alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust for N2.1 billion.

They were said to have received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between October 2014 and March 2015, which the allegedly diverted to fund the presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an act said to breach the Public Procurement Act, Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

The court on March 2 adjourned to yesterday for the commencement of trial.

At the court yesterday, only the defendants were represented. Lead defence lawyer Wole Olanipekun (SAN) drew the court’s attention to a letter from the lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), where he sought an adjournment on the grounds that he (Jacobs) was at the Supreme Court.

Olanipekun suggested that parties be allowed to return in June, following which Justice John Tsoho adjourned to June 15.

Also, proceedings were stalled yesterday in the trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, because the prosecution failed to notify the court that it was calling a witness, who speaks Hausa.

The prosecution called its fourth witness yesterday, Abubakar Umar, a bureau de change operator, who spoke in Hausa.

On learning that the witness would not speak English, Justice Ahmed Mohammed noted that it was wrong for the prosecution not to have notify the court about the nature of its witness to enable the court arrange for an interpreter.

Prosecution lawyer Adebisi Adeniyi apologised to the court for the development and sought an adjournment to the following day.

Defence lawyer Joseph Daudu (SAN) said he would not be available the next day (today), and suggested May 4.

The judge blamed the court’s inability to proceed on the negligence of the prosecution.

He adjourned to May 5.

Adeniyi earlier rejected the suggestion by Daudu that the prosecution be compelled to always inform the defence about a particular witness to enable it (the defence) prepare for cross-examination.

Adeniyi argued that “the duty that the law imposes on prosecution is to provide the defence with names of its witnesses and their statements.

“The request by the defence that we always pre-inform them of the particular witness we intend to call at a particular time is out of place.”

Ex-Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam said yesterday that the report of the panel that probed his eight-year tenure was predetermined to tarnish his image and reduce his political relevance.

He said members of the panel were partisan from the outset because they are mostly from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Justice Kpojime Commission of Enquiry into the income and expenditure of Benue State from 2007 to 2015 last Friday submitted its report to the government.

It recommended that 52 people, including Suswam and 10 corporate bodies, should refund over N107 billion to the state’s coffers.

Reacting to the report, Suswam, in a statement in Abuja, said he was not surprised at the recommendations of the commission.

He said when it was inaugurated, its partisan composition informed his decision to approach the Makurdi High Court seeking to stop the tribunal from carrying out the premeditated task.

Suswam said: “The recommendation that my humble self and 51 officials who served in capacities and 10 corporate organisations should refund N107 billion to the Benue State government is laughable, unrealistic and a testimony of political witch-hunt, as no such money could have been taken out of government treasury under any circumstances during my stay in office.

”I want to make it clear that no such financial improprieties as contained in the report existed in the administration I superintended over. These figures are non-existent and are a product of the imagination of the authors of that report.”

He said the report proved right his earlier suspicion that Governor Samuel Ortom was desperately looking for any flimsy justification to ridicule him before the public for political gains.

The ex-governor added: “The probe panel was a wild goose chase. How could the state government probe the eight years of our administration from the first day to the last day in office? Does it mean everything we did in office as an elected government with the popular mandate of the people was wrong? Does it mean we didn’t have the mandate as an elected government to execute projects or deliver on our promises?”

He claimed that the achievements of his administration “were verifiable and very much on ground for all to see.”

Suswam said he transformed the rural economy through the provision of roads, bridges, electricity, water projects, health and educational facilities.

 

A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday heard how former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam allegedly ordered the sale of the state’s shares for N10 billion.

The Chief Executive Officer of the state’s investment firm, the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) Limited, Mrs. Brigid Shiedu gave details of how the governor authorised the sale of the shares.

Mrs. Shiedu testified as a prosecution witness in the trial of Suswam and the state’s ex-Finance Commissioner Omodachi Oklobia.

Suswam  is being tried with Oklobia on a nine-count charge of money laundering in which they were among others, accused of diverting N3, 111,008,018.51k (about N3.1billion) which form part of the N9,411,708,009.51k (about N9.4billion) recovered from the sale of Benue State’s shares.

When trial opened on December 8, 2015 a prosecution witness, Junaidu Sidu told the court how Suswam and Oklobia allegedly connived to divert about N3.1b from the share sale proceeds, using a bureau de charge operator, Abubakar Umar of Fanffash Resources Limited, who allegedly converted the money to $15,800,000 (USD) which he purportedly handed to Suswam in cash at his (Suswam’s) residence in Maitama, Abuja.

Mrs Shiedu said out of the N10bn realised from the sales of the shares, the BIPC Limited was instructed to retain N1bn for the running of the company and reinvestment in real estate business which is part of the company’s areas of interest.

She said the state government’s sole stockbroker which sold the shares on behalf of the state paid the balance of N9bn into the two accounts of the Ministry of Finance with a bank.

Mrs. Shiedu, who was led in evidence by prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said Suswam had initially instructed her company  to raise N6 billion, but later raised it to N10 billion, claiming the money would be deployed for the completion of some ongoing projects in the state.

“We discussed on the amount that will be liquidated at the meeting and thereafter we agreed on the sum of N6 billion to be raised from the sales of the shares.

“Thereafter the chairman of the board was also invited by the governor. The chairman came and was also informed of this development.

“But the Chairman said the matter needed to be discussed at a full board meeting. So we scheduled a board meeting and the matter was discussed.

“It was at the board meeting that the then Commissioner of Finance (Okolobia) said that due to the magnitude of the need of the state for fund at that time, the amount to be liquidated from the shares as later agreed between him and the governor was N10 billion. The board also invited the stockbroker, Elixir Security Ltd, to advise on how the money could be raised from the shares,” the witness said.

She added that the approval for the sale of the shares eventually came from Suswam as governor through the office of Government House Administration.

She added: “They now went to the stock market and started selling some of the shares. I wrote a letter to the then Governor of Benue State for approval for the sale of the shares to go into the transaction and I was given the approval.

“When they sold the shares, they asked us where the proceeds were to be deposited. When I contacted the Commissioner for Finance (Oklobia), he sent two account numbers to me.

“He sent the account numbers through the Ministry of Finance letterhead.

The letters of correspondent between her and the governor which Mrs. Shiedu referred to were tendered and admitted as exhibits.

Although the defence objected to the admission of the letters, Justice Ahmed Mohammed said the documents would be temporarily admitted until the prosecution was able to prove that BIPC is a public institution.

Justice Mohammed adjourned to February 15 for continuation of trial.