metro
N3.1bn fraud: $15.8m was delivered to Suswam residence – Witness
N3.1bn fraud: $15.8m was delivered to Suswam residence – Witness
In an ongoing trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, a key witness has testified to converting and delivering $15.8 million in cash to the ex-governor at his residence.
According to Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the witness, Abubakar Umar, detailed how in 2014 he received N3.1 billion from Suswam, which he converted into dollars and delivered in cash.
Suswam, along with his former Commissioner of Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, is facing 11 counts of money laundering in connection with the alleged misappropriation of N3.1 billion.
The money was reportedly derived from the sale of Benue State’s shares through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited and facilitated by Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
Testifying on Thursday, Umar, the sixth prosecution witness, revealed how the sum of N3.1 billion was transferred to him by Suswam’s proxy, a woman, in several tranches between August and October 2014. He told the court how he converted the funds into dollars, at an exchange rate of N197 per dollar, and delivered the equivalent amount of $15.8 million in cash to Suswam at his Maitama residence.
READ ALSO:
- Saudi condemns Israelis attack on ‘defenseless’ Palestinians
- Government can’t subsidise cost of passports – Minister
- BREAKING: FG declares Tuesday public holiday to celebrate 64th Independence
“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 together with one fair woman. He asked me to give the woman my account number, which I did. On the 8th of August, N413 million was transferred to my account,” Umar told the court.
He continued, “I called the former governor, and he told me to change the money to dollars. Three days later, I had the equivalent amount ready and delivered it to him at his Maitama residence, close to the Jumat Mosque. We confirmed the money together.”
Umar testified that the transfers continued in similar fashion, with the largest single tranche being N1.068 billion, transferred on October 17, 2014. In total, N3.1 billion was sent to him, which he converted to $15.8 million in cash and delivered in installments to Suswam’s residence.
The witness, while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, acknowledged that he had no written records or receipts for the transactions, relying only on his discretion and trust from both parties involved.
Justice Lifu adjourned the trial until October 4, 2024, for further hearings.
This testimony forms part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement during Suswam’s tenure as governor of Benue State. Both Suswam and his co-defendant have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, issued a statement confirming the adjournment of the trial.
N3.1bn fraud: $15.8m was delivered to Suswam residence – Witness
metro
Updated: Plateau Under Siege: 10 Killed in Coordinated Bandit Raids
Updated: Plateau Under Siege: 10 Killed in Coordinated Bandit Raids
Fresh violence rocked Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night, leaving at least 10 people dead in coordinated attacks on Jol and Dorowa Babuje (Rob District) communities. Local leaders confirmed the assaults occurred between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm, sparking fear and outrage among residents.
The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, told reporters that nine people were killed in Dorowa Babuje, while one person died in Jol. He said the attackers arrived on motorcycles from the Manga axis in Jol, despite prior warnings to security agencies about suspicious movements.
Operation Rainbow, Plateau State’s specialized security outfit, was already deployed in Jol and successfully repelled the attackers, helping to limit casualties. In Dorowa Babuje, the assailants were reported to have emerged from the Jong-Wereh area, where they had allegedly been camping for some time. Dalyop praised the swift intervention of the military, which prevented the death toll from rising further.
READ ALSO:
- Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna
- BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal
- ADC Leadership Clash: Oyegun Bars Owie from Caucus Meeting in Edo
Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, did not respond to calls. The Nigeria Police is yet to issue a formal comment on the attacks.
The attacks come amid a disturbing pattern of insecurity in Riyom and surrounding areas, which have recently experienced repeated night raids, ambushes, and community displacement. Residents are now demanding a sustained security presence and long-term peacebuilding measures to prevent further bloodshed.
In the aftermath, youths and community leaders blocked major highways leading to Jos on Monday, protesting the killings and urging authorities to apprehend the perpetrators. Demonstrators warned that they would not clear the roads until action is taken to secure their communities.
The latest violence underscores the urgent need for enhanced security strategies, intelligence-driven policing, and federal-state collaboration to protect residents in Plateau State’s most vulnerable communities.
Updated: Plateau Under Siege: 10 Killed in Coordinated Bandit Raids
metro
Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna
Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has achieved major operational successes in the last two weeks, including the dislodgement of bandit camps, the arrest of suspected gunrunners, and the seizure of illegal firearms and narcotics, officials confirmed at a press briefing on Monday.
State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, said the operations were intelligence‑led and conducted across Kajuru, Tafa, Igabi, and Kauru Local Government Areas. Several bandit camps were destroyed, with some suspects neutralised during firefights and others escaping with injuries.
He also revealed that the police recovered a range of illegal weapons, including:
- Three AK‑47 rifles
- 21 fabricated firearms
- One sub‑machine gun (SMG)
- Two English pistols and four fabricated pistols
- Large quantities of hard drugs
READ ALSO:
- BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal
- ADC Leadership Clash: Oyegun Bars Owie from Caucus Meeting in Edo
- U.S. Court Orders ICE to Release Nigerian Detained Since 2012
Muhammad highlighted the arrest of five suspected notorious gunrunners. On February 20, the Anti‑Kidnapping Unit apprehended a suspect from Jaji, Igabi LGA, who had six fabricated AK‑47 rifles, three revolvers, two pistols, seven AK‑47 magazines, and a pair of black Wellco boots. A second suspect from Unguwar Rogo, Jos North, was also taken into custody. Preliminary investigations show the suspects are involved in illegal arms fabrication and supply, fueling criminal activities within and beyond the state.
Earlier, on February 17, police intercepted three suspects at Kasuwan Magani in connection with an illegal arms transaction. Recovered items included one fabricated AK‑47 rifle and a pump-action gun.
The commissioner emphasized that the successes reflect the command’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-driven policing aimed at cutting the supply chain of illegal arms and dismantling criminal networks linked to banditry and violent crimes.
Muhammad further appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for leadership support, the Kaduna State Government for logistics assistance, and members of the public for providing credible intelligence, saying:
“Together, we shall ensure that Kaduna State remains secure for all law-abiding citizens.”
Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna
metro
BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal
BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal
A fire outbreak on Monday rocked the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, triggering panic among passengers and airport workers.
The incident, which occurred during peak operational hours, saw thick smoke billowing from a section of the terminal building, forcing travellers and staff to evacuate parts of the facility.
Eyewitnesses said the situation created confusion as passengers hurriedly moved away from the affected area while airport officials directed them to safer locations within the premises.
Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that emergency response teams, including the airport fire service unit, were immediately deployed to the scene.
READ ALSO:
- U.S. Court Orders ICE to Release Nigerian Detained Since 2012
- Anambra Govt Shuts NASPA Market Over Sit‑At‑Home Defiance
- 2027: Bashir Ahmad Rules Out Kwankwaso as Peter Obi’s Running Mate
According to sources at the airport, firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread to other sections of the terminal. There were no immediate reports of casualties as of press time.
Although the exact cause of the fire had not been officially disclosed, preliminary information suggested it may have originated from one of the service or administrative sections of the old terminal.
The incident reportedly caused temporary disruption to passenger processing and flight operations, with some activities briefly suspended as safety checks were carried out.
FAAN assured passengers and members of the public that the situation had been brought under control and that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of damage.
Further updates are expected from airport authorities as operations gradually return to normal.
BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal
-
Business2 days agoDangote Opens Refinery Investment to Nigerians With Public Share Sale Plans
-
Education2 days agoUTME: JAMB Clarifies Position on Hijab During Biometric Capture
-
Politics2 days agoTinubu Hails Wike as APC Dominates 2026 FCT Area Council Elections
-
Entertainment2 days agoRegina Daniels Takes Delivery of ₦150m 2026 GAC Trumpchi M8 SUV
-
Politics2 days agoADC Defeats APC to Win First Polling Unit in FCT Area Council Election
-
Politics2 days agoFCT Council polls: APC Wins Four Chairmanship Seats as PDP Takes Gwagwalada
-
Politics2 days agoOpposition Weakens as Another Governor Eyes APC Move
-
News2 days agoYoruba Muslim Group Dismisses Viral Ramadan Date Claim, Reaffirms Sultan of Sokoto’s Authority


