Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the trial of former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, for the adoption of final written addresses, bringing the 11-year-old case closer to conclusion.
The matter was adjourned until July 16, 2026.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday.
Suswam and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Okolobia, are being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended 11-count charge bordering on theft, criminal breach of trust, illegal award of contracts, and money laundering involving N3.1 billion.
According to the commission, the funds were proceeds from the sale of the Benue State government’s shares in Benue Cement Company and were allegedly diverted through Elixir Securities Ltd and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
The EFCC called nine witnesses during the trial, while Suswam was the only witness who testified for the defence.
The defendants were first arraigned in November 2015 before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case was later transferred to Justice Okon Abang before his elevation to the Court of Appeal. Following a ruling by the Court of Appeal, the matter was returned to Justice Mohammed.
The prosecution was set to close its case in December 2023 when Justice Mohammed was elevated to the Court of Appeal, prompting the reassignment of the case to Justice Peter Lifu for a fresh trial.
The defendants were subsequently re-arraigned before Justice Lifu on March 21, 2024, marking their second arraignment in the matter.
After the prosecution closed its case, both defendants filed a no-case submission. However, on July 23, 2025, Justice Lifu dismissed the application, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring the defendants to open their defence.
The defence commenced on October 10, 2025, and the matter has now been adjourned for the adoption of final written addresses.