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ALLEGED N3BN FRAUD: Ex-Gov Suswam shuns chance to prove innocence
The alleged N3 billion fraud trial of former governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, was on Tuesday adjourned by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
This is over the Senate’s clearance of Justice John Tsoho as substantive Chief Judge of the court.
The court took the action to allow the defendant, Senator Suswam participate in the clearance of Tsoho, who has been acting as CJ.
President Muhammadu Buhari had recently wrote the Senate to confirm Tsoho as CJ, after the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended him to be appointed as the substantive Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
In the court on Tuesday, the defence lawyer, Chinelo Ogbozor prayed the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, to adjourn the case to enable the senator to participate in the Senate hearing on the clearance of Justice Tsoho.
Suswam represents Benue North-East senatorial district where Justice Tsoho hails from.
The former governor, along the Commissioner for Finance in his administration, Omadachi Oklobia, are being tried over alleged laundering of N3.1billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claimed they diverted the money, which it said was a part of the proceeds of the sale of some shares of Benue State in a company.
The prayer for the adjournment of the trial, by Suswam’s counsel, was not opposed by the co-defendant’s lawyer, Audu Aluga.
READ ALSO : Tribunal strikes out petition against Zamfara’s Gov Matawalle
However, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), opposed the application for adjournment.
According to him, in climes where Nigeria borrowed its democratic system of government, the defendant would be more interested in clearing his name first before handling any state matters.
But ruling on the matter, Justice Abang adjourned the matter till Wednesday for the continuation of trial.
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