Metro
Suswam docked, granted bail
In from Timothy Enietan-Matthews . . .
The immediate past governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, was Tuesday, arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over a nine-count criminal charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
The former governor was docked before Justice Ahmed Mohammed together with his Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omodachi Okolobia.
The duo were alleged to have looted about N3.1billion, being proceeds of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd, an offence punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012.
Justice Mohammed however admitted them to bail in the sum of N100 million after they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Read also: Court okays ex-Gov Suswam’s probe
The judge also ordered that Suswam and Okolobia produce one surety each, adding that such person must be a civil servant not below grade level 12 in either federal or state employment. He further ordered that the sureties must be ready to swear to an affidavit of means.
Justice Mohammed, who adjourned the case to December 8 and 9 for trial, however directed that in any event that the accused persons fail to secure a civil servant to stand surety on their behalf, he said they should produce someone with national honour to stand on their behalf.
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