On Monday, the former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suwswam, and the then Commisioner of finance, Omadachi, were arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a N3.1b money laundering charge.
Suswam, who is now the Senator representing Benue North East, pleaded not guilty to the nine count charges, along side his co-defendant, as the charges were being read to them before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
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They were originally arraigned before Justice Ahmed Mohammed in the same Abuja division of the court in November 2015. But the Judge withdrew from the case July this year. After which the case was reassigned to Justice Abang.
Before Monday, Justice Abang has originally dismissed an objection raised by the defendants against the transfer of the case from Justice Mohammed to Justice Abang.
Suswam’s Counsel, Chinelo Ogbozor, has originally tried to persuade Justice Abang to transfer the case back 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.