The long-running N3.1 billion money laundering trial involving former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Oklobia, is nearing conclusion after more than a decade in court.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed May 29, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses in the case brought against the two former officials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the funds were diverted from the sale of Benue State’s shares in Dangote Cement Plc.
The trial, which commenced in 2015, experienced several delays and setbacks, including reassignment among three different judges before eventually progressing to its current stage.
During the proceedings, a prosecution witness told the court that he converted the alleged N3.1 billion into 15.8 million dollars and delivered the cash to Suswam in Abuja. However, the former governor denied the allegation while defending himself before the court.
Earlier in the trial, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the defendants had a case to answer after dismissing their no-case submission.
With the adoption of final written addresses now scheduled, attention has shifted to May 29 as the prolonged corruption trial moves closer to judgment.
