The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday re-arraigned a former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, and the then Commissioner for Finance in his administration, Omadachi Oklobi, on N3.1bn money laundering charges.
Suswam, who is now the Senator representing Benue North East, and his co-defendant, pleaded not guilty when the nine counts were read to them again before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
They were initially arraigned before Justice Ahmed Mohammed in the same Abuja division of the court in November 2015.
But Justice Mohammed withdrew from the case in July this year following a SaharaReporter’s story accusing him of unethical practices in respect of the case.
The case was subsequently re-assigned to Justice Abang.
Before the arraignment on Monday, Justice Abang dismissed an objection raised by the defendants against the transfer of the case.
Suswam, through his counsel, Chinelo Ogbozor, had urged the judge to return the case file to Justice Mohammed.
Ruling Justice Abang sustained the arguments put forward by the prosecuting counsel lawyer, Leke Atolagbe, who urged the judge to assume jurisdiction and order the defendants to be arraigned.
The judge said Justice Mohammed had in a letter of July 5, 2019, detailed the reasons he withdrew from the case, adding that he could not reverse the administrative decision of the Chief Judge, who re-assigned the case to him.
The defendants were originally arraigned before Justice Mohammed in November 2015.
The prosecution had called four witnesses before the recent withdrawal of the judge from the case.
Justice Abang, on Monday, adjourned till October 29 for the commencement of trial.
PUNCH
