Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, has been ordered by the Federal High Court in Abuja to face trial over allegations of N3.1 billion fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Peter Lifu ruled on Wednesday that the EFCC had established enough evidence for Suswam to respond to the charges. This decision came after the former governor and his former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omodachi Okolobia, filed a no-case submission, seeking to be discharged without presenting a defence.

However, the court dismissed the application, saying there was a prima facie case against the two men. They are now expected to open their defence on September 22 and 26, 2025.

The case involves 11 amended charges related to the alleged diversion of ₦3.1 billion, reportedly generated from the sale of Benue State government shares held by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited. The funds were allegedly funneled through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.

Suswam’s legal team, citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, argued that the prosecution failed to link their clients to any wrongdoing and asked the court to throw out the case.

But EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, strongly opposed the motion, describing it as baseless and insisting that the accused must face trial.

With this ruling, all eyes are now on the court as the former governor prepares to defend himself against serious financial misconduct allegations.