Tag Archives: Suswam

Ex-governor Suswam docked on fresh N9.8 billion fraud allegation

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A former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, is in for another round of troubled waters as the Federal Government, on Monday, accused him and two others of diverting N9.79 billion.

The funds, part of which was meant for a police reform programme and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, were allegedly diverted between 2012 and 2015 while Mr. Suswam was the governor of Benue State.

The SURE-P scheme was set up by the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration following the partial removal of fuel subsidy in 2012.

According to the Punch Newspaper, the allegations are contained in the 32 fraud and money laundering charges filed against Mr. Suswam and two others on Monday.

A former commissioner of finance in Benue State under the Suswam administration, Omadachi Oklobia, and the then accountant, Benue State Government House Administration, Janet Aluga, were also named as defendants in the charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/48/2017.

The prosecution accused the defendants of conspiracy, conversion of property derived directly from corruption; collaboration to conceal property derived from corruption; obtaining by false pretences and accepting cash payments, exceeding the amount authorised by law.

Earlier this year, a six-count charge bothering on alleged N7.5 billion fraud was filed against Mr. Suswam by the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The former governor was alleged to have conspired with Mr. Oklobia and Ms. Aluga to launder the money.

Messrs. 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.

 

Source: Premium Times

Ex-PDP governor Suswam allegedly set to join Kalu, Ifeanyi Ubah in APC

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The former governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam, is set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), The Guardian reports.

According to the report, sources claim that the former governor aims to actualize his senatorial ambition come 2019 on the platform of the APC.

A close ally to the ex-governor speaking on the condition of anonymity said: “We are not sure how the stalemate in the PDP will end up so we do not want to take chances that is why we have begun preparations to have a smooth sail in the forthcoming election.”

A former speaker of the State House of Assembly, David Iorhemba who is the national acting legal adviser of the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the PDP, has also admitted Suswam’s plans to leave the PDP.

Although he noted that the former governor is bound to leave the PDP, because of its unending crisis that has put the party in a disadvantaged position in the forthcoming elections, the former speaker dispelled insinuations that Suswam is defecting to the ruling APC.

According to Iorhemba, Suswam may be heading to the Action Democratic Party (ADP).

 

Source: NAIJ

How Suswam Diverted N3.1Billion- EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given a detailed account of how former Governor of Benue State, Mr Gabriel Suswam and his Finance Commissioner, Mr. Omadachi Okolobia allegedly diverted over 3.1 billion naira belonging to Benue State government.

At the resumed trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja, a detective with the EFCC, Mr. Junaidu Sa’id, told the court that investigation by his team revealed that ex-Governor Suswam instructed that shares owned by the Benue State Government in the Benue Investment and Property Company be sold off for the sum of N10 billion.

Upon the order, the witness said that Elixir Investment Partners was appointed as stockbrokers to carry out the sales of the shares, during which over N9 billion was realized.

Elixir Investment Partners, the witness said, was thereafter instructed to pay the N9 billion into three different bank accounts of the State Ministry of Finance.

He said N5 billion was paid into the account of Benue State Ministry of Finance by Elixir Investment Partners, while a total sum of N3.1 billion was paid into Fanffash Resources account.

The witness said that the owner of Fanfash Resources, Abubakar Umar, was invited by the EFCC, who confirmed that he received N3.1 billion in his company account and converted same to dollar equivalent, amounting to $15.8 million and that he delivered same in cash to former Governor Suswam at his Maitama Residence in Abuja.

He told the court that the Finance Commissioner confirmed issuing directives for the payments to be made to Fanffash Resources and Benue State Ministry of Finance.

The court adjourned till January 18 and 19, 2016 for cross examination of the witness and continuation of hearing.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Suswam Loses Bid To Stop Probe

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A former governor of Benue state, Mr Gabriel Suswam, on Monday lost his bid to stop the probe instituted against him by Gov. Samuel Ortom at the state’s High Court. Reports have it that Ortom constituted an investigative panel to determine the actual state of indebtedness of the state and to verify government’s assets.

Suswam had dragged Ortom and the commission to court, seeking leave of the court to disband and set aside the Administrative Commission of Inquiry instituted against him. He averred that the commission was incapable of exercising judicial powers and lacked constitutional powers to investigate or adjudicate upon the issues submitted to it for inquiry.

Reports also show that the commission was expected to make findings of those responsible for lease or allocation of real property belonging to the Benue Government public. Suswam in his application alleged that the commission was set up to witch-hunt and smear his name and destroy his legacy.

He had claimed that his administration was transparent and rendered periodic account of its stewardship to the state throughout his eight years in office. The former governor argued that the resources of the state were judiciously used and that the impact could be seen all over the state.

He, therefore, prayed the court to grant his application by quashing the commission. It will be recalled that the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, had on Oct. 12, ordered a stay of proceedings on the commission, following Suswam’s suit.

But giving his ruling on the suit on Monday, Justice Adam Onum, vacated the order on the commission and ordered resumed sitting of the commission with immediate effect. Onum declared that the commission could issue letters of summon on individuals.

Credit: Vanguard

My Travails Are Politically Motivated, Suswam Says He Is Human & Not A Saint

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The former governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, has denied the allegation of corruption leveled against him, saying it was politically motivated to demonize his time in office as the governor of the state.

Addressing reporters on Sunday in the state, days after reports that he would be arraigned by an anti-graft agency, Suswam described the office of the governor as stressful, saying that 24 hours in office was enough to send any public officer to jail.

He further asked those calling for his prosecution to know he is also human and not a saint.

Suswam stated this at a thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Holy Ghost Catholic in Makurdi by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Benue State House of Assembly, to mark his eight years in office which ended in May, 2015.

Benue People Want Thorough Probing Of Suswam’s Administration- Ortom

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Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday maintained that the people of his state want thorough investigation of activities under former governor Gabriel Suswam.

Suswam has gone to court in attempt to halt the probe of his administration.

Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, Ortom said it was the desire of the people to know how the commonwealth of the state was spent, especially as the current administration in the state met empty treasury.

Credit: NationOnline

Suswam’s Arraignment Fails Due To Lack Of Judge

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The arraignment of the former governor of Benue State, Mr Gabriel Suswam failed on Wednesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, as no judge was assigned to the case.

The former governor was billed for arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday over allegations bordering on money laundering, to the tune of  N3 billion.

The anti-graft agency on Wednesday disclosed that it is set to arraign Mr Suswam after it filed a nine-count charge against the former governor last month at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Credit: ChannelsTV

N3.1bn Scam: EFCC Arraigns Ex-Benue Gov Suswam Today

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former governor of Benue State Gabriel Suswam on an alleged N3.1 billion scam today Daily Trust gathered yesterday.
It was learnt that the anti-graft agency had on Monday October 2, 2015 filed a 9-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.1billion at a Federal High Court, Abuja.
Suswam and his former Finance Commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia are alleged to have diverted proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, EFCC sources hinted.
On 12th October the EFCC interrogated the ex- Benue State governor over allegations of financial crimes.
Also, the EFCC has filed fresh charges against former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye and five others before an Abuja Federal High Court.
Oronsaye was in July arraigned alongside Osarenkhoe Afe on a 24-count charge over alleged fraud and money laundering offences in the biometric data contract award to various companies during his tenure in 2010.

EFCC To Arraign Suswam Tomorrow Over Alleged N3.1Billion Fraud

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Barring any last minute change of plan, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will formally arraign a former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam before an Abuja Court tomorrow, November 4.

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

Mr. Suswam and his former Finance Commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia, are alleged to have diverted proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.

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

Credit: PremiumTimes

EFCC To Review Suswam’s N41 Billion Money Laundering Allegation

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Indications emerged yesterday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will be reviewing the case file of former governor of Benue state, Senator George Akume, over allegation of money laundering to the tune of N41billion.

Also, the immediate past governor of Benue state, Dr. Gabriel Suswam yesterday honoured the invitation of the commission on alleged misappropriation of SURE-P funds to the tune of N6.5billion as well as the N90billion the current administration alleged that Suswam left behind as debt.

A highly placed source at the EFCC, yesterday, said that former governor Gabriel Suswam who arrived the commission headquarters about 10am allegedly told the team of crack investigators during his interrogations at Idiagbon House that he inherited 75 percent of the debt profile during the administration of George Akume.

According to the source, Suswam told the operatives of the EFCC that during the eight years of his tenure he only collected bond of N17billion. The source further added that Suswam who was accompanied with two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, also released damaging documents against Senator Akume to further convince the operatives of the EFCC that he could not be investigated without Akume’ involvement.

The source further said that in the mind-boggling revelations from Suswam, the commission will have no choice than to call on the case file of Akume that was ready for prosecution during the tenure of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu before the then Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mike Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, and the former Chairman of EFCC, Farida Waziri allegedly took over the case file.

Read More: nigerianpilot

News Alert !!! Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam Arrested By EFCC

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Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, arrested a former Benue state governor, Gabriel Suswan, over alleged corruption during his tenure as governor.

Mr. Suswam governed Benue state between 2007 and May 2015.

He was being quizzed at the EFCC office in Abuja over alleged graft in his state, at the time of this report.

“He was invited by the EFCC in connection with ongoing corruption investigation in Benue state,” Wilson Uwajuren, EFCC spokesperson, told PREMIUM TIMES.

More to come.

Source – Premium Times

Suswam Heads For Court To Stop Probe

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Former governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, yesterday filed a suit at the state High Court to restrain his successor, Governor Samuel Ortom, from probing his administration.

It was gathered that the counsel to the former governor, Mr. Dave Iorhemba, filed Suswam’s suit, which contained about 10 motions supported by affidavit.

Confirming the development, a top official at the High Court told Daily Sun in confidence that the court actually received the writ and was immediately sent to the chief judge’s office for assignment to a judge.

“Yes, we have actually received the motion filed by lawyers to Suswam seeking the court to issue an order stopping the probe of his administration by the present government in the state and the file has been forwarded to the chief judge for the purpose of assigning the case to a judge.”

Read More: sunnewsonline

Suswam Denies Beating Wife In London, Says He’s In Germany

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Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswan, Sunday said he was not arrested in London for wife beating.

His lawyer, P.H. Ogbole, who spoke in Abuja yesterday called on friends and family of the former governor to disregard the publications claiming that Suswam was arrested in the United Kingdom for beating up his wife, Yemisi.

While threatening to take legal action against those behind the falsehood, Suswam described publication alleging that he beat his wife as a calculated attempt to smear his image.

Reports circulated on the social media last week, alleging that the former governor was arrested in London by the Metropolitan Police for beating his wife over an argument about his mistress.

The report added that he was released on bail. But Suswam however denied all the allegations which he said were the handiwork of his enemies.

Read More: thisdaylive

Gov. Suswam Begs Civil Servants, Family Members For Forgiveness

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Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue on Sunday pleaded with the civil expectations.

Suswam made the plea at the inter-denominational valedictory thanksgiving service in his honour at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi. “Please forgive me for my inability to meet up with your expectations as the governor of Benue State.

“But always remember that I had good intentions for civil servants in the state as shown in the 100 per cent salary increment I approved when I took over in 2007.

“It is not my making to owe staff salaries but due to the economic challenges in the country, I have no option but to leave behind a lot of challenges for the new government.

“However, when the new governor takes over, you will clearly understand that the financial challenges does not end with me,” he said.

He further pleaded with his family members for the actions and inactions he might have taken against their will, explaining that he was only carrying out his duties as the governor of the state.

The governor commended the state legislature and the judiciary for their support and the cordial relationship that existed between them.

Suswam commended the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for providing the needed platform for him to actualise his political ambition starting from the House of Representatives and as a governor.

He denied media publications that the party lost elections due to bad leadership, explaining that it was only natural for a party to rest after 16 years of being in power.

The governor commended his deputy for his loyalty and the government house staff for their support throughout his administration.

Earlier in his sermon, the President of NKST, Dr Ayohor Ateh, urged the people not to be afraid of the incoming administration for fear of being sacked or punished but have faith and trust in God.

Ateh charged the congregation to always rely on God, adding that many people were unnecessarily unrealistic.

Reading from Psalm 124 in the Holy Bible, the cleric urged the people to continue to pray for the governor and the state.

Credit: NAN

Ortom Accuses Suswam Of “Perpetrating Last Minute Frauds”, Vows To Examine His Administration

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Benue State governor-elect, Chief Samuel Ortom, has said that he will “look into” Governor Gabriel Suswam’s administration in the state with a view to correct its ills and make government accountable.

Ortom stated this on Tuesday at a briefing in Makurdi, the state capital. He accused Suswam of “perpetrating last minute frauds.”

Ortom spoke through the deputy governor-elect, Benson Abounu, noting that Suswam should comply with democratic best practices of consulting with those who would take over the governance of the state before taking any major decision.

Read More: punchng