EFCC Investigates Ex-Gov Over Alleged N25bn Diversion

The Economic and Finan
cial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is investigating a former governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswam over alleged diversion of N25bn Local Government Areas funds and other fraud.
The EFCC disclosed this on Monday at the resumed trial of Suswam before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Suswam is standing trial alongside his erstwhile Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia over alleged looting of N3.1 bn proceeds of shares owned by Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd.
Mr. Junaidu Sa’id, the EFCC lead investigator in the case told the court: “this is the first stage of the trial as the commission is still investigating the other allegations against the defendants”.
Sa’id who was being cross examined by Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN) the lead counsel to Suswam said that the N3.1 bn was not the only money allegedly looted by the defendants.
“We are still investigating the defendant for alleged diversion ofN25bn from the Local Government accounts and misappropriation of N6bn Ecological Funds from the Federal Government for eight years.
“The former governor is still being investigated for allegedly diverting Nl bn from the lease ofTaraku Vegetable Oil Mill Company Ltd.,” he said.
Sa’id said that Suswam also allegedly diverted N12bn bond raised from the capital market for the development of infrastructure in Benue.
He said the defendant also sold a hotel he built for himself with state fund and sold the Makurdi International Modem Market without approval from the State House of Assembly.