FG slams fresh N7.5bn fraud charge against Suswam, two others, court adjourns case indefinitely

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, adjourned indefinitely, a fresh six-count charge bordering on N7.5 billion, filed against former Governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, by the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The former governor was alleged to have conspired with Omadaki Oklobia, a former Commissioner for Finance during his tenure and one Janet Aluga to launder the money.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr David Igbodo, informed the court that the office of the Inspector-General of Police was collaborating with the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on the case.
According to him, the collaboration is due to the quantum of the charge against the accused.
He prayed the court to adjourn the case indefinitely to enable both offices carry out thorough investigation.
“There is a recent development that made the IGP to request that the file be sent to the AGF because of the quantum of evidence involved,”he said.
He also said that the defendants were not in court as a result of the new development, adding that they were on police bail and not in custody.
The Defence counsel, Mr Abbas Ochogwu, did not oppose the request for the indefinite adjournment in the case.
The Judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawale, granted Igbodo’s prayer.
Suswam and Oklobia are already standing trial before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the same division of the court for allegedly diverting about N3.1 billion, belonging to the Benue government.