Suswam’s N3.1bn trial stalls as lead counsel absent

By Tolu Temidire

The trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Omadachi Okolobia, before the Federal High Court in Abuja has been stalled following the absence of Suswam’s lead counsel, J.P. Daudu, SAN.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting the duo on a nine-count charge bordering on the alleged diversion of N3.1 billion.

The matter, which came up before Justice Peter Lifu for the adoption of final written addresses, could not proceed after counsel to the first defendant sought an adjournment on the grounds that Daudu would be attending the International Bar Conference scheduled for October 4 to 9, 2026.

Prosecution counsel, O.A. Atolagbe, told the court that while the prosecution was ready to adopt its final written address, it had received a letter from Suswam’s counsel requesting an adjournment.

Atolagbe, however, objected to the application, describing it as a deliberate attempt to frustrate the speedy determination of the case.

He said: “We ask to be on record that this application is a deliberate plot to frustrate this proceeding. This is a 2015 charge and this Honourable Court has treated this matter expeditiously and my Lord is committed to this matter.

“Evidence has been concluded since November 2025 and this is not the first time the first defendant will be asking for an adjournment just on the adoption of final addresses.

“My Lord, you recall that on July 16, 2026, the first defendant and his counsel were not present. The record of this court is very clear that J.P. Daudu, SAN, has not conducted substantially the proceedings of this case. It has been Chinelo Ogbozor who conducted all the proceedings since 2015.

“If we continue this way, the entire case will be frustrated.”

The EFCC counsel further said that, in the interest of fair hearing, he was constrained to object to the application in order to prevent further delays in concluding the matter.

Following the submissions, Justice Lifu adjourned the case to November 6, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.