THE Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned ruling on the no-case submission filed by Gabriel Suswam, former Governor of Benue State and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, in their ongoing corruption trial.
Peter Lifu (Justice) announced the adjournment on Friday, setting July 23, 2025, as the date for the court’s decision.
According to a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Suswam and Okolobia are standing trial on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and criminal diversion of public funds.
The EFCC accused the duo of misappropriating N3.1 billion, said to be proceeds from the sale of Benue State government shares held by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited.
The transaction was allegedly conducted through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
At the resumed hearing, Chenelu Ogbozor, defence counsel and Paul Erokoro, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who are representing Suswam and Okolobia, respectively, informed the court of their no-case submission.
Citing Sections 302 and 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the defence team argued that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against their clients.
According to EFCC, the motion was filed on May 28, 2025, and supported with a written address served on the prosecution on July 10.
They urged the court to uphold the submission and consequently discharge and acquit both defendants.
In response, Rotimi Jacobs, EFCC’s lead counsel, submitted a written address dated July 2025, asking the court to dismiss the no-case submission.
Jacobs maintained that the application lacked merit, insisting that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant the defendants entering their defence.
Lifu, however, adjourned the matter to July 23, 2025, for ruling on whether Suswam and his co-defendant have a case to answer.
