The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, permitted the former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam who is facing criminal trial, to travel abroad for medical check-up. Suswam Suswam who piloted the affairs of Benue State from 2007 to 2015,‎ is facing trial ‎alongside his erstwhile Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omodachi Okolobia. The duo were docked before trial Justice Ahmed Mohammed on November 10, 2015. ‎

They were alleged to have diverted about N3.1billion, ‎being proceeds of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd. ‎ Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing on the nine-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against them, Suswam, through his lawyer, Mr. J. B. Daudu, SAN, begged the court to okay the release of his international passport to enable him to go for medical treatment outside the country.

Even though he did not disclose the nature of his illness or the country he intends to travel to, however, the former ‎governor told the court that he would promptly return to face his trial. Following a no objection stance by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, trial ‎Justice Ahmed Mohammed ordered the Registrar of the Court to release the travelling documents of the defendant which was seized as part of the conditions upon which he was granted bail.

Jacobs had in his response to Suswam’s application dated January 14, said he would not raise any opposition so far the defendant would go for the medical treatment within the period the court would be on vacation. The prosecutor ‎said he was however uncomfortable with Suswam’s request for his travelling documents to be given to him periodically for the same purpose.

Jacobs said he was convinced that with the advent of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, th matter would be expeditiously determined. Justice Mohammed has adjourned the matter till April 28 and 29 for continuation of trial. He ordered the defendant to immediately surrender his passport to the Registrar upon his return to the country. ‎

Earlier, an EFCC witness, Mr. Aliyu Victor, who is a portfolio manager of Elixir Investment Partner Limited, a brokering firm the defendants engaged to help it sale the Benue State shares, concluded his testimony before the court. Victim told the court that sequel to instructions from Suswam, proceeds from the sales of Benue State shares which amounted to the tune N9,411,078,000.61, was paid into three separate bank accounts. ‎ Though the accused persons pleaded not giulty to the charge, however, EFCC, said it has sufficient evidence to prove that they committed an offence punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012. ‎

In another development, scheduled arraignment of a former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku, ‎could not commence before a high court of he Federal Capital Territory at Wuse Zone 2 yesterday. Kuku who was the former Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, is facing ‎a two-count ‎charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and fraudulent acquisition of property.‎

He was to be arraigned alongside one of his aides ‎Mr. Lawrence Pepple who served as his technical assistant. Their arraignment was stalled by the absence of Kuku who was alleged to have fled the country on the pretence that he is undergoing medical treatment in the United Kingdom. ‎ Aside allegation that he fraudulently aquired property in October 2013, Kuku ‎was in another charge, alleged to have conspired with his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Mr. Henry Ogbolue‎ and ‎awarded contract worth over N27million to ‎a private company which has Ogbolue as the sole signatory to ‎the account of the company. Ogbolue was further alleged to have failed to ‎declare his ownership of Plot 261, Durumi, Abuja in the assets declaration form he submitted on ‎September 4, 2015. ‎ Th court has deferred their arraignment till April 20.

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