BREAKING: Court Dismisses Gabriel Suswam’s No-Case Submission

The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a “no-case” submission filed by former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, in the ₦3.1 billion money laundering case brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that both men must open their defence, as the prosecution had presented enough evidence and witness testimonies to warrant further explanation from the defendants.

The legal team representing Suswam had made the no-case submission on May 14, 2025, arguing that the former governor and his co-defendant had no case to answer. This followed the EFCC’s announcement through its counsel, O.A. Atolagbe, that it had closed its case.

Though the EFCC initially concluded its case before Justice Ahmed Mohammed in 2023, the matter had to recommence before Justice Lifu due to judicial reassignment.

The EFCC originally arrested Suswam in 2015 and charged him alongside Okolobia on an 11-count amended charge bordering on money laundering. The charges relate to funds allegedly diverted from the proceeds of Benue State government shares sold by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.

Both Suswam and Okolobia pleaded not guilty to the allegations when arraigned, setting the stage for a full trial. With the court’s rejection of the no-case submission, the defence is now expected to open its case in the coming weeks.