Suswam: The Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to resume proceedings on September 25 in the long-running ₦3.1 billion money-laundering case involving former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Oklobia.
Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date for parties to adopt their final written addresses after an earlier attempt to conclude that stage of proceedings was stalled.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Suswam and Oklobia over allegations connected with proceeds from the sale of shares belonging to the Benue State Government.
The shares were held through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.
The EFCC alleges that approximately ₦3.1 billion arising from the transaction was diverted and converted into foreign currency through intermediaries.
Both defendants have contested the prosecution’s case.
The prosecution has undergone a lengthy procedural history extending for about 11 years.
In July, the scheduled adoption of final addresses could not proceed after Suswam and his lead counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, were absent on health grounds.
EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court at the time that the case had been listed for adoption of written addresses.
Final written addresses are particularly important in a criminal trial because they allow both sides to draw the court’s attention to the evidence already presented, applicable legislation and judicial authorities before judgment is delivered.
They do not constitute fresh evidence.
Once the addresses are adopted, the court may reserve the case for judgment.
The allegations against Suswam and Oklobia remain unproven unless and until the court reaches a final determination.
The unusually long lifespan of the proceedings also gives the case a wider justice-sector dimension, particularly as Nigeria continues to confront concerns about delays in complex financial-crime trials.
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SOURCE:
Nigerian Tribune
