Reason3842016
Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam
Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam (born 15 November 1964, Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area, Benue State) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as the elected civilian Governor of Benue State from 29 May 2007 to 29 May 2015 on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform, and subsequently as Senator for Benue North-East from June 2019 to June 2023. Educated at the University of Lagos (LL.B, 1989) and the Nigerian Law School (BL, 1990), he practised at the Bar before contesting elective office, serving two terms as Member of the House of Representatives for Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2007. His governorship spanned the Yar'Adua and Jonathan administrations; his Senate tenure ran through the Buhari second term and the early Tinubu period. He is the central figure in one of the most procedurally protracted Fourth Republic former-governor prosecutions, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's N3.1 billion money-laundering charge before the Federal High Court, Abuja (Maitama Division). The case arises from the proceeds of the sale of Benue State Government shares in what was then Dangote Cement Plc — shares originally allocated to the State on the privatisation of the former Benue Cement Company in 2005 and held on the State's behalf by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC). The EFCC alleges that between 8 August and 30 October 2014, the late-second-term Governor and his then Commissioner for Finance, Mr Omadachi Okolobia, procured the sale of those shares through Elixir Securities Limited and the associated transmission of proceeds through Elixir Investment Partners Limited in a manner that diverted approximately N3.1 billion. A Bureau de Change operator (Abubakar Umar of Fanffash Resources) testified that he was wired the N3.1 billion, converted it to US$15.8 million at the prevailing N197/dollar rate, and delivered the cash to the then-Governor at his Maitama, Abuja residence. The procedural history is intricate. Suswam and Mr Okolobia were initially arraigned on a 9-count charge before Hon. Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on 10 November 2015, less than six months after Suswam handed over the Benue State Government House. Justice Mohammed admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N100 million with a surety not below Director-cadre in federal/state/local government service, with international passports surrendered to the registrar. Justice Mohammed subsequently recused himself in 2016 following reporting alleging that he had been compromised; the matter was reassigned to Hon. Justice Okon Abang, with the defence challenging jurisdiction. In February 2020 the Court of Appeal directed return of the file to Justice Mohammed, before whom the defendants were re-arraigned on an amended 11-count charge on 2 November 2020. When Justice Mohammed was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2023, the case was reassigned to Hon. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, before whom the trial substantially proceeded. The prosecution called nine witnesses and closed its case in December 2023. The defendants filed a no-case submission under sections 302 and 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, arguing that the EFCC had failed to establish a prima facie case. On 23 July 2025, Justice Lifu dismissed the no-case submission, holding that the prosecution evidence had established a prima facie case warranting an explanation from the defendants, and ordering them to open their defence. The defence opening was initially delayed (lead counsel J.B. Daudu SAN twice sought adjournments — one in September 2025 citing the hospitalisation of junior counsel Chinelo Ogbozor and a pending interlocutory appeal — with the trial judge famously remarking that 'a case should not go on for 10 years' and that 'we cannot continue this way'). Mr Suswam ultimately testified as the sole defence witness; the defence closed on 24 November 2025. The court adjourned the matter to 20 January 2026 for the adoption of final written addresses, with 14 days each given to prosecution and defence to file and respond to addresses. Charitable framing: Suswam, through his counsel, has consistently maintained his innocence; the defence position before the no-case ruling was that the EFCC had not by credible evidence linked either defendant to the allegations on the charge sheet, and the substantive ruling on the merits is yet to be delivered. The case remains in the `arraigned` status per the archive convention pending the post-final-addresses verdict. On the political side, in February 2026 Mr Suswam resigned his PDP membership citing internal party crises; on 11 April 2026 he announced a Senate run for Benue North-East on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform for the 2027 general elections, and on 19 May 2026 he emerged as the APC senatorial candidate for the district at the party's primary. The flagship EFCC trial is referenced as HEDA Compendium case #3 in the 2021 HEDA Resource Centre publication of 100 high-profile Nigerian corruption cases.
Sources
- SOURCE-01Premium Times — 'Court adjourns ex-Benue governor Suswam's N3.1 billion fraud trial for final arguments' (November 2025)
- Premium Times — 'Court adjourns ex-Benue governor Suswam's N3.1 billion fraud trial for final arguments' (November 2025)www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/838126-court-adjourns-ex-benue-governor-suswams-n3-1-billion-fraud-trial-for-final-arguments.html
- SOURCE-02Premium Times — 'Alleged N3.1bn Fraud: Ex-Benue governor has case to answer, court rules' (23 July 2025)
- Premium Times — 'Alleged N3.1bn Fraud: Ex-Benue governor has case to answer, court rules' (23 July 2025)www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/809152-alleged-n3-1bn-fraud-ex-benue-governor-has-case-to-answer-court-rules.html
- SOURCE-03Premium Times — 'Alleged N3.1bn Fraud: Judge withdraws from trial of ex-Governor Suswam' (2016)
- Premium Times — 'Alleged N3.1bn Fraud: Judge withdraws from trial of ex-Governor Suswam', 2016www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/204785-alleged-n3-1bn-fraud-judge-withdraws-trial-ex-governor-suswam.html
- SOURCE-04Premium Times — 'N3.1 billion corruption trial: Abuja Chief Judge orders continuation of Ex-Governor Suswam's case'
- Premium Times — 'N3.1 billion corruption trial: Abuja Chief Judge orders continuation of Ex-Governor Suswam's case'www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/207396-n3-1-billion-corruption-trial-abuja-chief-judge-orders-continuation-ex-governor-suswams-case.html
- SOURCE-05Premium Times — 'Alleged Fraud: How I handed N15.8m to ex-Nigerian governor at Abuja residence — Witness'
- Premium Times — 'Alleged Fraud: How I handed N15.8m to ex-Nigerian governor at Abuja residence — Witness'www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/451037-alleged-fraud-how-i-handed-n15-8m-to-ex-nigerian-governor-at-abuja-residence-witness.html
- SOURCE-06Premium Times — 'N3.1 bn fraud: I received several calls to change my statement against Ex-Gov Suswam — EFCC witness'
- Premium Times — 'N3.1 bn fraud: I received several calls to change my statement against Ex-Gov Suswam — EFCC witness'www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/375580-n3-1-bn-fraud-i-received-several-calls-to-change-my-statement-against-ex-gov-suswam-efcc-witness.html
- SOURCE-07Premium Times — 'N1.38 trillion, $53.84 billion, £1 million allegedly stolen in 100 high-profile corruption cases — HEDA report'
- Premium Times — 'N1.38 trillion, $53.84 billion, £1 million allegedly stolen in 100 high-profile corruption cases — HEDA report'www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/841891-n1-38-trillion-53-84-billion-1-million-allegedly-stolen-in-100-high-profile-corruption-cases-heda-report.html
- SOURCE-08EFCC press release — 'Alleged 3.1b Fraud: You have a case to answer, Court tells Gabriel Suswam' (23 July 2025)
- EFCC press release — 'Alleged 3.1b Fraud: You have a case to answer, Court tells Gabriel Suswam' (23 July 2025)www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/11295-alleged-3-1b-fraud-you-have-a-case-to-answer-court-tells-gabriel-suswam
- SOURCE-09EFCC press release — 'Alleged 3.1bn Fraud: How I delivered $15.8m Cash to Suswam in his Residence — Witness' (PW6 Abubakar Umar, September 2024)
- EFCC press release — 'Alleged 3.1bn Fraud: How I delivered $15.8m Cash to Suswam in his Residence — Witness' (PW6 Abubakar Umar, September 2024)www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/10411-alleged-3-1bn-fraud-how-i-delivered-15-8m-cash-to-suswan-in-his-residence-witness
- SOURCE-10EFCC press release — 'Alleged N3.1b Fraud: Suswam to Know Fate on No Case Submission, July 23'
- EFCC press release — 'Alleged N3.1b Fraud: Suswam to Know Fate on No Case Submission, July 23'www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/11247-alleged-n3-1b-fraud-suswan-to-know-fate-on-no-case-submission-july-23
- SOURCE-11EFCC press release — 'Alleged N3.1bn Fraud: Suswam's People Threatened to kill Me, Family, says Witness'
- EFCC press release — 'Alleged N3.1bn Fraud: Suswam's People Threatened to kill Me, Family, says Witness'www.efccnigeria.org/efcc/news/5436-alleged-n3-1bn-fraud-suswam-s-people-threatened-to-kill-me-family-says-witness
- SOURCE-12SaharaReporters — 'Court Orders Trial Of Benue Ex-Governor Suswam For N3.1billion Fraud, Dismisses No-Case Application' (23 July 2025)
- SaharaReporters — 'Court Orders Trial Of Benue Ex-Governor Suswam For N3.1billion Fraud, Dismisses No-Case Application' (23 July 2025)saharareporters.com/2025/07/23/court-orders-trial-benue-ex-governor-suswam-n31billion-fraud-dismisses-no-case
- SOURCE-13SaharaReporters — 'Alleged N3.1billion Fraud: Benue Ex-Governor Suswam To Open Defence As Case Drags For 10 Years' (22 September 2025)
- SaharaReporters — 'Alleged N3.1billion Fraud: Benue Ex-Governor Suswam To Open Defence As Case Drags For 10 Years' (22 September 2025)saharareporters.com/2025/09/22/alleged-n31billion-fraud-benue-ex-governor-suswam-open-defence-case-drags-10-years
- SOURCE-14SaharaReporters — 'N3.1billion Fraud: Court To Decide Benue Ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam's Fate July 23' (11 July 2025)
- SaharaReporters — 'N3.1billion Fraud: Court To Decide Benue Ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam's Fate July 23' (11 July 2025)saharareporters.com/2025/07/11/n31billion-fraud-court-decide-benue-ex-governor-gabriel-suswams-fate-july-23
- SOURCE-15SaharaReporters — 'N3.1billion Fraud: Court Fixes January 20 As Benue Ex-Governor Suswam's Trial Continues' (24 November 2025)
- SaharaReporters — 'N3.1billion Fraud: Court Fixes January 20 As Benue Ex-Governor Suswam's Trial Continues' (24 November 2025)saharareporters.com/2025/11/24/n31billion-fraud-court-fixes-january-20-benue-ex-governor-suswams-trial-continues
- SOURCE-16SaharaReporters — 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt: A Day In The Temple Of Justice Observing Ex-Governor Suswam's Corruption Trial' (5 May 2016)
- SaharaReporters — 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt: A Day In The Temple Of Justice Observing Ex-Governor Suswam's Corruption Trial' (5 May 2016)saharareporters.com/2016/05/05/beyond-reasonable-doubt-day-temple-justice-observing-ex-governor-suswams-corruption-trial
- SOURCE-17SaharaReporters — 'Alleged N3bn Fraud: Former Governor Suswam And His Lawyer, JB Daudu Pressured Me To Change My EFCC Statement, Witness Tells Court' (1 February 2018)
- SaharaReporters — 'Alleged N3bn Fraud: Former Governor Suswam And His Lawyer, JB Daudu Pressured Me To Change My EFCC Statement, Witness Tells Court' (1 February 2018)saharareporters.com/2018/02/01/alleged-n3bn-fraud-former-governor-suswam-and-his-lawyer-jb-daudu-pressured-me-change-my
- SOURCE-18SaharaReporters — 'Benue Ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam Resigns From PDP Over Unresolved Internal Conflicts' (4 February 2026)
- SaharaReporters — 'Benue Ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam Resigns From PDP Over Unresolved Internal Conflicts' (4 February 2026)saharareporters.com/2026/02/04/benue-ex-governor-gabriel-suswam-resigns-pdp-over-unresolved-internal-conflicts
- SOURCE-19SaharaReporters — 'APC Senator, Udende Sacked By Tribunal In Benue, Loses Seat To Gabriel Suswam' (8 September 2023)
- SaharaReporters — 'APC Senator, Udende Sacked By Tribunal In Benue, Loses Seat To Gabriel Suswam' (8 September 2023)saharareporters.com/2023/09/08/apc-senator-udende-sacked-tribunal-benue-loses-seat-gabriel-suswam
- SOURCE-20TheCable — 'Suswam loses no-case bid, to enter defence in N3.1bn fraud trial' (23 July 2025)
- TheCable — 'Suswam loses no-case bid, to enter defence in N3.1bn fraud trial' (23 July 2025)www.thecable.ng/suswam-loses-no-case-bid-to-enter-defence-in-n3-1bn-fraud-trial/
- SOURCE-21TheCable — 'Suswam's decade-long N3.1bn fraud trial stalls over failure to open his defence' (22 September 2025)
- TheCable — 'Suswam's decade-long N3.1bn fraud trial stalls over failure to open his defence' (22 September 2025)www.thecable.ng/suswams-decade-long-n3-1bn-fraud-trial-stalls-over-failure-to-open-his-defence/
- SOURCE-22TheCable — 'N3.1bn fraud: I delivered $15.8m cash to Suswam at home, says witness'
- TheCable — 'N3.1bn fraud: I delivered $15.8m cash to Suswam at home, says witness'www.thecable.ng/n3-1bn-fraud-i-delivered-15-8m-cash-to-suswam-at-home-says-witness/
- SOURCE-23The Guardian Nigeria — 'Alleged N3.1b Fraud: Court says Suswam, ex-commissioner have case to answer' (July 2025)
- The Guardian Nigeria — 'Alleged N3.1b Fraud: Court says Suswam, ex-commissioner have case to answer' (July 2025)guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/alleged-n3-1b-fraud-court-says-suswam-ex-commissioner-have-case-to-answer/
- SOURCE-24The Guardian Nigeria — 'Court fixes May 29 for final addresses in Suswam's N3.1bn trial'
- The Guardian Nigeria — 'Court fixes May 29 for final addresses in Suswam's N3.1bn trial'guardian.ng/news/court-fixes-may-29-for-final-addresses-in-suswams-n3-1bn-trial/
- SOURCE-25Vanguard — 'Benue senatorial seat: Tribunal sacks APC's Udende, declares PDP's Suswam winner' (September 2023)
- Vanguard — 'Benue senatorial seat: Tribunal sacks APC's Udende, declares PDP's Suswam winner' (September 2023)www.vanguardngr.com/2023/09/benue-senatorial-seat-tribunal-sacks-apcs-udende-declares-pdps-suswam-winner/
- SOURCE-26Vanguard — '2027: Ex-Benue governor Suswam joins Senate race on APC platform' (April 2026)
- Vanguard — '2027: Ex-Benue governor Suswam joins Senate race on APC platform' (April 2026)www.vanguardngr.com/2026/04/2027-ex-benue-governor-suswam-joins-senate-race-on-apc-platform/
- SOURCE-27The Punch — 'How Suswam pressured me to change my statement — EFCC witness'
- The Punch — 'How Suswam pressured me to change my statement — EFCC witness'punchng.com/how-suswam-pressured-me-to-change-my-statement-efcc-witness/
- SOURCE-28The Punch — 'FG charges Suswam's aide, ex-perm sec with N16.6bn SURE-P, LG funds fraud'
- The Punch — 'FG charges Suswam's aide, ex-perm sec with N16.6bn SURE-P, LG funds fraud'punchng.com/fg-charges-suswams-aide-ex-perm-sec-with-n16-6bn-sure-p-lg-funds-fraud/
- SOURCE-29Daily Trust — 'How I handed over $15.8m cash to Suswam — bureau de change operator'
- Daily Trust — 'How I handed over $15.8m cash to Suswam — bureau de change operator'dailytrust.com/how-i-handed-over-15-8m-cash-to-suswam-bureau-de-change-operator/
- SOURCE-30Channels Television — 'Ex-Benue Governor Suswam Rearraigned Over Alleged N3.1bn Fraud' (2 November 2020)
- Channels Television — 'Ex-Benue Governor Suswam Rearraigned Over Alleged N3.1bn Fraud' (2 November 2020)www.channelstv.com/2020/11/02/ex-benue-governor-suswam-rearraigned-over-alleged-n3-1bn-fraud/
- SOURCE-31Channels Television — 'Benue North-East: Appeal Court Sacks Suswam, Affirms Udende's Victory' (1 November 2023)
- Channels Television — 'Benue North-East: Appeal Court Sacks Suswam, Affirms Udende's Victory' (1 November 2023)www.channelstv.com/2023/11/01/appeal-court-sacks-suswam-as-benue-senator/
- SOURCE-32Channels Television — 'Tribunal Sacks APC's Udende, Returns Suswam As Benue North-East Senator' (8 September 2023)
- Channels Television — 'Tribunal Sacks APC's Udende, Returns Suswam As Benue North-East Senator' (8 September 2023)www.channelstv.com/2023/09/08/breaking-tribunal-sacks-apcs-udende-returns-suswam-as-benue-north-east-senator/
- SOURCE-33PM News — 'Alleged N3.1bn Fraud: EFCC re-arraigns former governor, Gabriel Suswam' (2 November 2020)
- PM News — 'Alleged N3.1bn Fraud: EFCC re-arraigns former governor, Gabriel Suswam' (2 November 2020)pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/11/02/alleged-n3-1bn-fraud-efcc-re-arraigns-former-governor-gabriel-suswam/
- SOURCE-34PM News — 'Gabriel Suswam: EFCC cries foul as witness recants' (1 February 2018)
- PM News — 'Gabriel Suswam: EFCC cries foul as witness recants' (1 February 2018)pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/02/01/gabriel-suswan-efcc-cries-foul-witness-recants/
- SOURCE-35The Nation — 'Witness: How I delivered $15.8m cash to ex-Gov Suswam at home'
- The Nation — 'Witness: How I delivered $15.8m cash to ex-Gov Suswam at home'thenationonlineng.net/witness-how-i-delivered-15-8m-cash-to-ex-gov-suswam-at-home/
- SOURCE-36Tribune Online — 'EFCC's arrest stalls Suswam's trial over alleged N3.1bn fraud'
- Tribune Online — 'EFCC's arrest stalls Suswam's trial over alleged N3.1bn fraud'tribuneonlineng.com/118943-2/
- SOURCE-37Tribune Online — 'Alleged N3.1bn fraud: Court slates Jan 20 for adoption of written addresses in Suswam's case' (24 November 2025)
- Tribune Online — 'Alleged N3.1bn fraud: Court slates Jan 20 for adoption of written addresses in Suswam's case' (24 November 2025)tribuneonlineng.com/alleged-n3-1bn-fraud-court-slates-jan-20-for-adoption-of-written-addresses-in-suswams-case/
- SOURCE-38Daily Post — 'Alleged N3.1bn fraud: Suswan's defence stalls again after 10 years in court' (23 September 2025)
- Daily Post — 'Alleged N3.1bn fraud: Suswan's defence stalls again after 10 years in court' (23 September 2025)dailypost.ng/2025/09/23/alleged-n3-1bn-fraud-suswans-defence-stalls-again-after-10-years-in-court/
- SOURCE-39Daily Post — 'Court to adopt final addresses in N3.1bn fraud charge against ex-gov Suswam' (24 November 2025)
- Daily Post — 'Court to adopt final addresses in N3.1bn fraud charge against ex-gov Suswam' (24 November 2025)dailypost.ng/2025/11/24/court-to-adopt-final-addresses-in-n3-1bn-fraud-charge-against-ex-gov-suswam/
- SOURCE-40Daily Post — 'Alleged N3.1bn fraud: EFCC presents final witness against ex-Benue governor, Suswam' (14 May 2025)
- Daily Post — 'Alleged N3.1bn fraud: EFCC presents final witness against ex-Benue governor, Suswam' (14 May 2025)dailypost.ng/2025/05/14/alleged-n3-1bn-fraud-efcc-presents-final-witness-against-ex-benue-governor-suswam/
- SOURCE-41AllAfrica — 'Nigeria: EFCC Closes Case Against Ex-Governor Suswam in N3.1 Billion Fraud Trial' (December 2023)
- AllAfrica — 'Nigeria: EFCC Closes Case Against Ex-Governor Suswam in N3.1 Billion Fraud Trial' (December 2023)allafrica.com/stories/202312070074.html
- SOURCE-42Leadership — 'Alleged N3.1b Fraud: Suswam's Trial Stalled Over Failure To Begin Defence'
- Leadership — 'Alleged N3.1b Fraud: Suswam's Trial Stalled Over Failure To Begin Defence'leadership.ng/alleged-n3-1b-fraud-suswams-trial-stalled-over-failure-to-begin-defence/
- SOURCE-43The Whistler — 'We Can't Continue This Way, Judge Fumes At Ex-Gov Suswam Over Alleged N3.1bn Fraud Case'
- The Whistler — 'We Can't Continue This Way, Judge Fumes At Ex-Gov Suswam Over Alleged N3.1bn Fraud Case'thewhistler.ng/we-cant-continue-this-way-judge-fumes-at-ex-gov-suswam-over-alleged-n3-1bn-fraud-case/
- SOURCE-44Gabriel Suswam — Wikipedia
- Gabriel Suswam — Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Suswam
- SOURCE-45HEDA Resource Centre — 2021 Compendium of 100 High Profile Corruption Cases in Nigeria, Case #3, p.13
- HEDA Resource Centre — 2021 Compendium of 100 High Profile Corruption Cases in Nigeria, Case #3, p.13hedang.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2021-Compendium-of-100-High-Profile-Corruption-Cases-in-Nigeria.pdf
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