N9.7bn fraud: FG re-arraigns Suswam, others November 20

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed November 20 for the re-arraignment of former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, on a 32-count charge brought against him by the Federal Government. Justice I.E. Ekwo fixed the date on Wednesday when the matter was brought before him for the first time. When the matter was called, the prosecuting counsel, Aminu Alilu, told the judge that the matter was starting de novo (afresh), following the elevation to the Court of Appeal of the judge who was handling it.

Ex-Saraki’s aide preaches unity, seeks APC gov ticket in Kwara By agreement of counsel, Mr Ekwo adjourned the matter until November 20 and 21. It should be recalled that Suswam was arraigned before Justice Gabriel Kolawale, alongside his former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Oklobia and the Accountant of the Government House, Janet Aluga.

They were arraigned for allegedly diverting N9.7 billion, part of which was meant for Police Reform Programme and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). The trio allegedly cornered the said funds between 2012 and 2015, while Suswam was governor of the state. They were also accused of conspiracy, conversion of property derived directly from corruption; collaboration to conceal property derived from corruption; obtaining by false pretence and accepting cash payments, exceeding the amount authorised by law. Vanguard