Suswam, two others diverted N9.8billion –Federal government

Suswam, two others diverted N9.8billion –Federal government

- The federal government, on Monday, March 27 accused a former governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam of fraud

- Suswam and two others were accused of diverting the sum of N9.79billion

- The money was said to be funds meant for police reform programme and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P)

The federal government, on Monday, March 27 accused a former governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam and two other of diverting the sum of N9.79billion meant for police reform programme and SURE-P, The Punch reports.

Suswam, two others diverted N9.8bn –Federal government
Suswam was the governor of Benue state between 2007-2015

The SURE-P scheme was set up by the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration following the partial removal of fuel subsidy in 2012.

Legit.ng gathered that the funds were allegedly diverted between 2012 and 2015 while Suswam was the governor of Benue state.

The allegations are contained in the 32 fraud and money laundering charges filed against Suswam and two others.

Others named as defendants in the charges, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja are a former commissioner for Benue state under the Suswam’s administration, Mr Omadachi Oklobia; and the then accountant, Benue state government house administration, Mrs Janet Aluga.

The prosecution alleged in the charges, signed by a counsel in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Aminu Alilu, and Kehinde Fagbemi, that the three defendants committed the offences between 2012 and 2015.

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It accused the defendants of

1. Conspiracy, conversion of property derived directly from corruption

2. Collaboration to conceal property derived from corruption and

3. Obtaining by false pretences and accepting cash payments, exceeding the amount authorised by law.

The offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under various provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.

The Federal Government also levelled similar allegations as well as acceptance of payments authorised by law from counts 10 to 14 against the defendants with respect to a cumulative sum of N1,970,662,130.00.

Part of the charges read, “That you, Rt. Hon. Gabriel T. Suswam (m), former governor of Benue state of No. 1 Rio Negro Street, Maitama, Abuja; Omadachi Oklobia (m), former commissioner for Finance of Flat 1 Block A13, Marathon Avenue, Games Village, Abuja; and Janet Aluga (f), former accountant , Benue state government house administration of David Mark Extension, Agber Village, Makurdi, Benue State, between August 8, 2012 and March 16, 2015 at Makurdi, Benue State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to transfer a total sum of about N4,135,208,404.90, from the Benue state SURE-P account number 0116099195, domiciled in Guaranty Trust Bank, into various illegal accounts with the aim of concealing the money which you derived directly from corruption.

“That you, Rt. Hon. Gabriel T. Suswam (m), former Governor of Benue state of No. 1 Rio Negro Street, Maitama, Abuja; Omadachi Oklobia (m), former Commissioner for Finance of Flat 1 Block A13, Marathon Avenue, Games Village, Abuja; and Janet Aluga (f), former accountant , Benue state government house administration of David Mark Extension, Agber Village, Makurdi, Benue state, between August 8, 2012 and March 16, 2015 at Makurdi, Benue state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did collaborate to conceal the genuine nature and origin of a total sum of about N7,110,537,823.78 which you moved from the Benue state SURE-P account number 1013470079 and account number 0116099195, domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank respectively, into various illegal accounts being money you derived from corruption.

“That you, Rt. Hon. Gabriel T. Suswam (m), former Governor of Benue State of No. 1 Rio Negro Street, Maitama, Abuja; Omadachi Oklobia (m), former Commissioner for Finance of Flat 1 Block A13, Marathon Avenue, Games Village, Abuja; and Janet Aluga (f), former accountant, Benue state government house administration of David Mark Extension, Agber Village, Makurdi, Benue state, on or about August 14, 2014, at Makurdi, Benue state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed an offence, to wit: by false pretences and with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N45,000,000 from Police Reform Programme Skye Bank account number 1750022970, belonging to the Nigeria Police and paid into the Benue state government house First Bank Account number 2023289293 for your own benefit.”

Suswam, two others diverted N9.8bn –Federal government
Suswam was arrested by the DSS recently for storing arms, ammunition and luxury cars

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Recall that a month ago, the Department of State Services (DSS) announced the arrest of Suswam. The ex-governor was arrested over items recovered in cars in a building in Abuja, both of which weresaid to belong to him.

According to the DSS , the search of the building at 44, Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, Abuja, led to the discovery of keys of 45 exotic cars, 21 Certificates of Occupancy, arms and ammunition.

Source: Legit.ng

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