Amid the ongoing trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, a Bureau de Change operator, Abubakar Umar testified on Saturday before the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

Umar disclosed that in 2014, he converted ₦3.1 billion into $15.8 million and delivered the cash to Suswam, providing critical insight into the alleged financial misconduct as the proceedings continue under Justice Peter Lifu’s oversight.

As the sixth prosecution witness in the case, Umar revealed that the funds were transferred to him by Suswam through a proxy during his tenure as governor.

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Umar explained that the transaction occurred in tranches, with the first installment of ₦413 million hitting his account on August 8, 2014.

The total sum eventually amounted to ₦3.1 billion, which Umar then converted to U.S. dollars at a rate of ₦197 per dollar.

The witness, who is the CEO of Fanffash Resources, testified that he delivered the equivalent $15.8 million in cash to Suswam at his Maitama, Abuja residence.

This testimony is part of an ongoing trial involving Suswam and his former Commissioner of Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, who are facing 11 amended counts of money laundering.

The charges stem from the alleged diversion of funds from the sale of Benue State government shares, which were held by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited and sold through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting the case, alleges that Suswam and Okolobia laundered part of the proceeds of the sale, amounting to ₦3.1 billion.

According to a statement from Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity at the EFCC on Saturday, the case has been ongoing since 2018, with Umar’s testimony playing a crucial role in the prosecution’s argument.

Led by prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, Umar testified that the money transfers were facilitated by a female intermediary, though her identity was not disclosed in the court proceedings.

The trial continues as both Suswam and Okolobia face the amended charges of money laundering in connection with the alleged misappropriation of state funds.

He said, “One day in 2014, when I was in the office, the former governor of Benue State asked me to meet him in his house in Maitama, Abuja. I went and met him in the house together with one fair woman.

“He asked me to give the woman my account number. I gave the woman my Zenith Bank account number. The woman said she’ll send money into that account.

“On the 8th of August 2014, N413 million was transferred to my account. Based on this,  I called the former governor and he told me to change the money to dollars and I asked him to give me time to do that. Three days after I bought the dollar equivalent, I called the former governor and informed him that the money was ready.

“He now asked me to take the money to his house in Maitama, near Jumat Mosque. I now told him that he should inform the security at the gate that I was coming, if not they’ll not allow me access into the gate. I took a cab to the house, and after I arrived at the house, I knocked at the gate and they opened. I told them my name.

“They opened the first and second gates and I sat in the waiting room where he came and met me. I now brought out the money which we both confirmed to be the equivalent of the  N413 million. The exchange rate then was N197.”

“On the 12th of September 2014, N637 million was transferred to my account.  After N637million was transferred to my account, after like 40 minutes N363 million was also transferred into my account. On 13th October 2014, N630, 008,50, (Six Hundred and Thirty Million, Eight Thousand and Fifty Naira) was also transferred to my account.

“On 17th October 2014 1,0068,000 (One Billion, Sixty-eight Million) was transferred to my account. It is the woman that was directed by the former governor to do the transfers. The total money transferred to my account was N3 billion.” he added

The witness confirmed that he was not arrested by the EFCC for giving testimony in favor of the defendant, nor was he pressured by the Commission to testify against the defendant.

He also revealed that he did not maintain receipts or formal records of the transactions, explaining that he buys dollars from other traders and records the details at his own discretion.

However, the case was adjourned until October 4, 2024, for further proceedings.

In a surprising turn of events, 43-year-old Susan Mitche has come to the defense of her husband, Michelle Lowe, who is currently in police custody for allegedly pouring hot water on her, causing severe burns.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Susan describes Michelle as “a good and peaceful person.”

She expressed her desire for his release from custody, stating, “He is a good man and very peaceful in his conduct.”

The couple has been married for 20 years and has no history of violence, with Susan asserting that Michelle has never physically harmed her.

This raises questions about potential underlying issues that may have led to the incident.

Susan further explained, “We have been married for 20 years, and he has never beaten or slapped me. I don’t know what came over him that made him pour hot water on me. I believe it was not intentional.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku in connection with an alleged fraudulent scheme involving N27 billion.

According to reports, Ishaku’s arrest follows an extensive investigation into financial irregularities during his tenure as governor.

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The anti-graft agency alleges that Ishaku mismanaged state funds, diverting billions for personal gain.

Ishaku, alongside a co-defendant identified as Yero, is facing 15 charges of corruption, criminal diversion of public funds, and misappropriation stretching from 2015 to 2021.

Breakdown of Allegations

According to the EFCC, Ishaku and Yero illegally acquired N1.10 billion between August 25, 2015, and March 21, 2016, and dishonestly diverted an additional N1.1 billion from the state’s coffers for personal gain, as outlined in counts one to four.

The fifth count accuses the defendants of misappropriating N193 million between January 2019 and April 2021, while the sixth and seventh counts allege the illegal diversion of N650 million and N170 million respectively, during the same period.

In counts eight and nine, the EFCC alleges the defendants funneled N201.9 million and another N132.1 million into private accounts.

Further, counts ten and eleven claim they misappropriated a staggering N3.3 billion, alongside an additional N639.4 million between July 2019 and February 2021.

The court also heard that N993 million was unlawfully diverted between September 30, 2016, and February 23, 2021, according to count twelve.

In a separate count, the defendants allegedly misappropriated N90 million between May and December 2015.

Ishaku Faces Additional Charges

In counts fourteen and fifteen, Ishaku stands as the sole defendant, accused of siphoning N23 million and N761.3 million between October 2016 and January 2018.

The former governor pleaded not guilty to all charges, with his legal team dismissing the allegations as politically motivated.

However, the EFCC insists it has substantial evidence to prove the mismanagement of public funds during his tenure.

The case has been adjourned for further hearings, with public attention now focused on what could be one of the most high-profile corruption trials involving a former state governor in recent years.