On Monday, September 22, 2025, the trial of former Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja, was delayed as Suswam was unable to begin his defence.
Suswam, together with his former Finance Commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia, faces charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They are accused of misappropriating N3.1 billion, funds allegedly derived from the sale of Benue State shares managed by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, through intermediaries Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited. The charges have been amended to 11 counts.
Earlier, on July 23, 2025, Justice Lifu rejected Suswam’s no-case submission, directing him to proceed with his defence.
However, instead of starting his defence on Monday, Suswam’s lead counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, requested a three-week adjournment to adequately prepare. He explained that one of their lawyers, Chenelu Ogbozor, is currently hospitalized, and that an appeal has been filed against the court’s dismissal of the no-case submission. Daudu urged the court to pause proceedings until the appeal is resolved.
Responding, the prosecution’s lawyer, A.O. Atolagbe, opposed the adjournment, emphasizing that the court’s annual recess provided ample time-over two months-for the defence to prepare. He highlighted that the case has lingered for a decade, giving the defence more than enough opportunity to get ready.
“We have had more than two months during the court recess to prepare. This case has been ongoing for 10 years, and the defence has had sufficient time. We cannot halt proceedings pending the Court of Appeal’s decision unless a specific ruling or date is issued by that court. It is unjust to grant a three-week delay when the defence already had over three months during the break,” Atolagbe argued.
Justice Lifu expressed frustration over the protracted nature of the trial, which has spanned more than ten years. He urged both parties to expedite the process and bring the matter to a close.
“This morning, I searched for the case file and could not locate it. I had to send staff to the appeal registry, only to find the file disorganized and scattered. This disarray caused my late arrival today. A case should not drag on for a decade,” the judge remarked.
Consequently, the court adjourned the trial until October 10, 2025, when Suswam is expected to begin his defence.
