Alleged N3.1bn fraud: How I made money as governor – Suswam

Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he never stole public funds during his eight-year tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015. Testifying in his own defence in the ongoing N3.1 billion money laundering trial, Suswam explained that although his official salary as governor was […]

Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he never stole public funds during his eight-year tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015.

Testifying in his own defence in the ongoing N3.1 billion money laundering trial, Suswam explained that although his official salary as governor was about N700,000, he legitimately earned additional income from large-scale rice farming, which included operating a rice mill and cattle ranch—ventures he said were permissible under the constitution for public officers.

“The office of the governor may sound big, but the income is low,” he told the court.

Led in evidence by his counsel, Mrs. Chinelo Ogbozor, the former governor denied receiving any money alleged to be proceeds from the Benue State government’s shares in the Benue Cement Company. He also denied instructing one Abubakar Umar, a bureau de change operator, to collect or convert funds on his behalf.

Umar, who testified earlier as the fifth prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had claimed he delivered $15.8 million (equivalent to N3.1 billion) to the Benue State Government Lodge in Maitama, Abuja.

Responding to the allegation, Suswam said, “My Lord, I know Abubakar Umar, but in this particular case, I had no transaction with him regarding the facts of this case. At no time did I instruct him to collect the said amount, convert it, or return it to me as alleged in the charge.”

Justice Peter Lifu has adjourned the case to November 5 and 12 for hearing.