A Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam’s “no-case” submission on Wednesday, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission presented sufficient prima facie evidence of ₦3.1 billion fraud to warrant a full trial . Justice Peter Lifu ordered Suswam and his former Finance Commissioner, Omadachi Okolobia, to open their defenses, fixing September dates for their responses .
Suswam had argued that the EFCC failed to establish any criminal breach in the allocation of funds. The court, however, found irregularities in procurement records and unexplained spending gaps, concluding that “the prosecution has established a case requiring defense” before any determination on guilt can be made .
The EFCC welcomed the decision, with its spokesperson stating that “justice must follow the evidence” and pledging to uphold the rule of law in holding public officers accountable. Suswam’s legal team announced plans to appeal the ruling, accusing the court of misreading key financial documents.
Observers say the court’s firm stance underscores Nigeria’s evolving judicial independence in high-profile corruption cases. They note that while appeals can delay final adjudication, ordering a defense stage signals the judiciary’s unwillingness to allow top officials to evade scrutiny on technicalities.
As the matter moves to trial, all eyes will be on how the defense addresses the audit trail and whether Suswam’s political influence can withstand rigorous cross-examination. The outcome may set a precedent for future anti-corruption prosecutions against former governors.
