How Suswam diverted Benue’s N3.1b share proceeds - witness

A Federal High Court in Abuja heard yesterday how former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam allegedly diverted about N3.1 billion, which formed part of the proceeds of the sale of the state’s investment.

A prosecution witness, Junaidu Saidu, said at the resumed trial of Suswam and the ex-Finance Commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia, how the ex-governor allegedly raised over N9 billion from the sale of the state’s shares, from which he purportedly diverted N3, 111, 008, 018.51k.

Saidu, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was the first prosecution witness when trial opened yesterday in the nine-count charge brought against Suswam and Okolobia by the EFCC.

Governor Suswam

The witness, who was led in evidence by lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said the ex-governor and his Finance commissioner realised about N9.4 billion in the sale of the shares belonging to the state government and its investment agency, Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC ) Limited, using a stockbroking firm – Elixir Investment Partners Limited.

Saidu, who said he was part of the EFCC team that investigated the petition against Suswam and Okolobiato, said upon enquiry, the clerk of the House of Assembly denied knowledge of when the Assembly authorised the sale of the shares.

He said Elixir Investment, acting on the directive by the two accused, paid the proceeds of the share sale into three accounts, from which N3.1 was converted to $15,800,000, whiallegedly handed over to Suswam in his home at Maitaima, Abuja.

“Investigation revealed that the 1st defendant (Suswam) requested that shares owned by the Benue State government be sold for N10 billion to be raised. Thereafter, Elixir Investment Partners were appointed as stockbrokers to cary out the sale of the shares.

“In carrying out this directive, Elixir realised over N9 billion. Elixir Investment Partners were thereafter instructed to pay the money into three accounts. The payment instruction was for N1 billion to be paid into BIPC account, while the balance was to be paid into two accounts with the names of Benue State Ministry of Finance.

“Investigation revealed that these directives were carried out by Elixir, but when Elixir attempted to make payments into the two accounts, it discovered that one of the accounts did not belong to the Ministry of Finance, but to Fanffash Resources, a bureau de change firm,” Saidu said.

He added that upon realising that one of the accounts belonged to a private firm, Elixir contacted Okolobia, who gave the stockbroking firm the go ahead to make the payment, which it eventually did.

The witness said information from Zenith Bank Plc, the bank into which the payments were made, showed that N5 billion was paid into the Ministry of Finance account while N3, 111, 008, 018.51k was paid into Fanffash Resources account.

“Subsequently, the owner of Fanffash Resources, Abubakar Umar, was invited. He confirmed the receipt of the N3, 111, 008, 018.51k and said he converted same to dollars, amounting to $15,800,000. He added that he delivered the money to the 1st defendant (Suswam) at his residence in Maitama, Abuja,” Saidu said.

He added that Okolobia admitted, in his statement, that he received N370 million from the Finance Ministry’s cashier in three instalments of N150 million, N100 million and N120 million, funds which were allegedly withdrawn from the ministry’s account into which Elixir allegedly paid N5 billion from the share sale proceeds.

Before Saidu ended his evidence-in-chief, the prosecution tendered through him, the petition against Suswam and Okolobia, their statements to the EFCC and bank statements in relation to the accounts into which the share sale proceeds were paid.

Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed admitted the documents in evidence and adjourned to January 18 following a request by defence lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) for time to enable the defence team acquaint itself with the witness’ evidence before it could cross examine him.

Prior to Daudu’s arrival, the court refused a plea by Ahmed Raji (SAN) and Audu Adoga (for the defence) for time to enable them prepare their case. Raji had told the court that they have not been successful in their effort to reach the bureau de change operator named in the charge.

Jacobs opposed Raji’s request. He expressed surprise that Raji said they were making effort to reach the individuals who the prosecution has listed as its witnesses.

Suswam and Okolobia are being tried on a 9-count charge of money laundering and abuse of trust over their alleged diversion of the proceeds of the 2014 share sale, using Elixir Investment Partners and Fanffash Resources.

How Suswam diverted Benue’s N3.1b share proceeds - witness

Assets declaration: Suswan, Imoke, four other ex-govs to face trial

•Ex-North-East gov flees abroad
• Hidden assets of 15 other former govs uncovered

The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Umar, has signed the warrant for the arraignment of six former governors for falsifying their assets declaration forms.

Danladi Umar

The six former governors, according to investigation conducted by our correspondent, include ex-Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, and his Cross River State counterpart, Liyel Imoke.

The identities of the four others could not be ascertained at press time.

Also to face trial is a retired permanent secretary for abuse of office while a former governor from the North East is beleived to have gone on exile barely a week after the conclusion of paperworks for his trial.

Investigation conducted by our correspondent revealed that the the trial of the ex-public office holders will start any moment from now.

A source who spoke in confidence said: “The next batch for trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal includes six ex-governors and a retired permanent secretary. The former governors are from the North-Central, North-West, South-South and North-East.

“All these ex-governors will be formally notified of their pending trial next week. Some of them have got wind of it and were already scouting for the charges.

“In fact, security reports indicated that the ex-governor from the North-East got wind of his likely arraignment before the CCT and chose to go on self-exile.

“When all is set for his trial and he fails to show up, a bench warrant will be issued for his arrest and the International Police (INTERPOL) will be mandated to fish him out.”

At press time, there were findings that more than 15 former governors under-declared their assets in gross violation of their oaths of office.

“Most of these governors preferred to hide their assets but, unknown to them, their aides or aggrieved members of their cabinets or parties and short-changed business partners used to expose them,” a source in the Code of Conduct Bureau said.

The constitution says: “Subject to the provision of this Constitution, every public officer shall within three months after the coming into force of this Code of Conduct or immediately after taking office and thereafter (a) at the end of every four years; and (b) at the end of his term of office, submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all his properties, assets, and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of 18 years.

“The Bureau shall have power to receive declaration by public officers made under paragraph 12 of part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to this Constitution.

“Examine the declarations in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct or any law.

“Retain custody of such declarations and make them available for inspection by any citizen of Nigeria on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may prescribe.

“Ensure compliance with and, where appropriate, enforce the provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law relating thereto.

“Any statement in such declaration that is found to be false by any authority or person authorized in that behalf to verify it shall be deemed to be a breach of this Code.

“Any property or assets acquired by a public officer after any declaration required under this Constitution and which is not fairly attributable to income, gift, or loan approved by this Code shall be deemed to have been acquired in breach of this Code unless the contrary is proved.”

“Receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of the Provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law in relation thereto. Investigate the complaint and, where appropriate, refer such matters to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

But disturbed by the legal issue surrounding the constitution of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, President Muhammadu Buhari has initiated moves to put in place a full panel.

There are only two members in the tribunal instead of three recommended by 1999 Constitution.

The one-judge vacuum has made some of those arraigned to seek redress at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on the ground that the tribunal was not fully constituted for a proper trial.

Three nominees have been recommended out of which the President will appoint one as a member of CCT. This will put paid to any complaint about the constitution of the tribunal.

“The three nominees are undergoing security checks after which the President will appoint one of them, “ a government source said last night.

Section 15 of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to 1999 Constitution says: “There shall be established a tribunal to be known as Code of Conduct Tribunal which shall consist of a chairman and two other persons.

“The chairman shall be a person who has held or is qualified to hold office as a judge of a superior court of record in Nigeria and shall receive remuneration as may be prescribed by law.

“The chairman and members of the Code of Conduct Tribunal shall be appointed by the President in accordance with the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.

“The National Assembly may by law confer on the Code of Conduct Tribunal such additional powers as may appear to it to be necessary to enable it more effectively to discharge the functions conferred on it in this schedule.”

Assets declaration: Suswan, Imoke, four other ex-govs to face trial

EFCC arraigns Suswam over N3.1bn fraud today

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

After several days of extended interrogations, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will today arraign the former Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, for money laundering and embezzlement.

Governor Suswam

The arraignment of Suswam, who ruled Benue State from 2007 to 2015, follows the filing of a nine-count charge largely bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1 billion against him at the Federal High Court Abuja on October 2.

Suswam and his former finance commissioner, Omodachi 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 Ltd.

The offence is punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 20111 as amended in 2012.

It will be recalled that in a bid to set the stage for the prosecution of Suswam, the commission grilled him and his former finance commissioner, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, for many days last month but released them on administrative bail.

The two men, it was learned from their interrogators, were shown documents relating to the alleged crimes preferred against them and they were asked to defend themselves to enable the commission to determine their culpability or otherwise.

A source in the agency confirmed, last night, that the commission was convinced that the former governor and those who aided him to lauder the funds of the state must be charged to court.

The source said: “Barring any last minute hitch, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will formally arraign the former governor of Benue State,Gabriel Suswam before an Abuja Court tomorrow, November 4, 2014.

“The anti-graft agency had on Monday, October 2, 2015 filed a nine-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1 billion at a Federal High Court, Abuja.”

While Suswam is facing the trial by the EFCC, he had successfully stopped his probe by the state governor, Samuel Ortom, by securing the order of the Benue State High Court to restrain the commission of enquiry raised by the governor from investigating his tenure.

It is not clear if Suswam will also get the same court to restrain the EFCC from proceeding with his trial.

EFCC arraigns Suswam over N3.1bn fraud today

Corruption: EFCC summons Suswam, ex-Benue gov to appear over corruption on Monday

Immediate past governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has been summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to appear before the anti-graft agency for interrogation over allegations of massive corruption leveled against him.

Governor Suswam

Suswam, who left office on May 29, this year, is alleged to have made away with state funds running into billions of Naira and is expected to say all he knows about the funds when he appears before EFCC’s interrogators in Abuja on Monday morning.

As a prelude to dealing with the former governor, the commission on Friday grilled his former finance commissioner, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia for hours in Abuja with a view to eliciting vital information that may help them in confronting Suswam.

Oklobia, who is also said to be involved in the Suswam alleged corruption case, reported to the Wuse 2 head office of the EFCC around 10 am and was questioned under what a source in the agency called ‘under caution’ because of his ‘complicity in the case.

A top source confirmed to Vanguard that Mr. Oklobia, who served as finance commissioner under Suswam was invited by the commission to defend allegations of diversion of public funds, abuse of office, embezzlement and fraud committed by them while in office.

The source said: “Oklobia arrived the EFCC office in Abuja at about 10 am where his statement was obtained under caution based on his complicity in the allegations of diversion of Benue State funds while they were in office.”

The Spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, however said that he could not confirm whether Suswam was billed to appear among the politically-exposed persons who had been summoned to appear before its operatives on corruption-related probe.

He promised to get back to our correspondent but did not do so as at the time of going to press.

It will be recalled that the Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has already raised a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to probe ex-governor Suswam for alleged looting of funds running into hundreds of millions of money.

The panel, which is headed by a high court judge, is yet to deliver his verdict on Suswam and his administration.

Corruption: EFCC summons Suswam, ex-Benue gov to appear over corruption on Monday

I did not beat my wife, ex-governor Suswam says

The immediate past governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, on Sunday denied either beating or having any quarrel with his wife as reported in some sections of the media.

Governor Suswam

This is contained in a press statement signed by his aide, Joseph Tsavsar, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Makurdi.

It recalled that some media organisations had reported that Mr. Suswam and his wife, Yemisi, had a misunderstanding in the United Kingdom where they went on vacation.

The statement said that the publication was a concoction of some mischief makers, and aimed at bringing Mr. Suswam down by all means.

It said that the former governor was neither in UK at that particular time nor had any property in London as reported.

It stated that the entire story about him and his wife was a figment of the imagination of jobless people who were looking for something to eat.

“My attention has been drawn to news making the rounds on social media and newspapers that I was arrested in London last week. That report is full of mischief and aimed at slandering me and my dear wife.

“Please disregard any news about a squabble between me and my dear wife. We’re fine,” Mr. Suswam said in the statement.

The former governor further directed his lawyers to press charges against all media organisations that published the report.

(NAN)

I did not beat my wife, ex-governor Suswam says

You must take care of me, Suswam tells gov-elect

Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, has informed the state Governor-elect, Chief Samuel Ortom, to look after him after his exit from office in May. 

Suswam stated this at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi, when he played host to the Governor-elect on Monday.

He said, “When I leave(office), I will be a burden on you and you must take care of me.”

Suswam assured the people that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, will not challenge Ortom’s mandate in court, stressing that litigation was an unnecessary distraction.

Earlier, Ortom, who contested the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, said he was overwhelmed when the governor called him on Sunday to congratulate him on his victory at the polls.

He noted that Suswam’s attitude signified a new dawn for the state, commending the governor for displaying “sound maturity” on the outcome of the election.

He also commended his PDP opponent, Terhemen Tarzoor, who he said, had called to congratulate him.

Meanwhile, Suswam said he had started a peaceful transition to enable the Governor-elect to take over from him.

He said, “I’ve already started a peaceful transition to enable the Governor-elect to take over power after the expiration of my tenure.”

The governor added that Ortom’s victory was a clear reflection of the people’s wishes, saying in life, the only permanent thing about any situation is change.

He enjoined the people of the state to extend their full support to the Governor-elect in the same manner they supported him to succeed in office.

Suswan, however, cautioned politicians and their supporters to avoid hate speeches, vendetta and unnecessary witch hunting of opponents on the basis of party affiliations.

You must take care of me, Suswam tells gov-elect

I will sue Kakih over certificate forgery - Governor Suswam

By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News

The governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam has decided that he would punish Terver kakih, the man who accused him of certificate forgery through a petition.

The governor said his action will serve as a warning to others who he said, may want to repeat the same in the near future.

Swswam who was freed of the forgery allegation by the Supreme Court last week, said he has ordered his lawyer to sue his accuser.

He said he will make sure the court punish Kakih for trying to destroy his image, adding that the TIV has taken petition writing as a norm.

He said “They did it to minority rights crusader, the late Joseph Tarkaa and to the second republic governor Aper Aku”, but he is “determined to put a stop to such wicked actions by Tiv people”.

The Publisher, Mr. Tom Oga Ohia who published the information concerning the certificate forgery allegation has been detained at the Police Force headquarter in Abuja.

 

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I will sue Kakih over certificate forgery - Governor Suswam