N3.1bn fraud: How Ex-Gov Suswam diverted state funds — Witness

An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Junaid Sa’id, testifying at the ongoing trial of a former Benue governor, Gabriel Suswam, and his finance commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia, on Monday told Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court that Mr. Suswam diverted proceeds from the sale of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.

According to him, Mr. Suswam ordered the sale of Benue State-owned shares through Elixir Investment Partners Limited, a stock brokerage firm.

Mr. Sa’id, while being cross examined on Monday by Mr. Suswam’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, told the court that his investigation revealed that an offence had been committed going by the way proceeds realized from the sale of the shares were managed.

“I can confidently say that, there is an offense from where the money is laundered,” Mr. Sa’id maintained.

Speaking on particulars of the petition against Mr. Suswam, the witness said, “the allegations include: diversion of N6bn of Ecological funds for 8 years for Benue State government; diversion of N1bn from the money realized from the sale of Taraku Vegetable Oil Company limited; diversion of N25bn from local government account.

“Taking loans and bonds from capital market for the purpose of providing infrastructure worth N12bn; being the owner of Metropolitan Hotel which he sold it to Benue State government, taking up a property from his brother and paying N60m monthly to him as rent; selling the International Modern market without approval from the state house of Assembly; and finally, non-execution of most of the capital project earmarked.”

The case had been adjourned to Tuesday for continuation of hearing.

At the resumed sitting, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, presented another witness, Brigid Shiedu, managing director, Benue State Investment and property Limited.

Testifying, Sheidu told the court that her duties among other things include: coordinating the general activities of the agency and implementing decisions taken by the board of directors.

According to him, “I was invited to the government house by Suswam who was with Okolobia, for discussion on the sale of some of Benue State shares held in trust with Benue State Investment Limited.

“Former Governor Suswam directed the sale of the shares after our meeting and the former commissioner sent two account numbers to me,” Sheidu stated.

Thereafter, Justice Mohammed adjourned to February 15 for continuation of trial.

Messrs Suswam and Okolobia are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 9-count charge bordering on money laundering, abuse of office and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N3.1 bn.

Mr. Suswam and Okolobia were alleged to have diverted the proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.

The offence is punishable under Section 15, Sub-section 3 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act as amended in 2012.