Nigeria: Ex-Governor Suswam's 11-Year-Long Corruption Trial Suffers Fresh Delay, Prosecution Raises Concerns Over Incessant Adjournments

What the report says

A long-running corruption trial involving former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam was delayed again in Abuja on Friday, according to Premium Times in a report distributed by AllAfrica. The case, which began in 2015, had reached the stage of final written addresses, generally the last step before judgment, but proceedings did not go ahead after the defence sought another adjournment.

Prosecution counsel Oluwaleke Atolagbe objected to the request, saying it appeared designed to prolong the matter. He told the court that lead defence lawyer Joseph Daudu planned to miss the hearing because of travel to Denmark for an International Bar Association conference. The prosecution said the trial had already taken 11 years and that evidence had been concluded in late 2025. The defence did not oppose the adjournment, and the second defendant’s lawyer also raised no objection.

Judge Peter Lifu said there was no need for further argument once it became clear that neither side opposed the request. He nonetheless noted that court convenience should guide adjournments and moved the case to 6 November. The court has repeatedly postponed final arguments in the matter, including earlier dates in 2026.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged Suswam and former Benue finance commissioner Omodachi Okolobia with 11 counts including conspiracy, money laundering and criminal breach of trust, alleging the diversion of N3.1 billion from the sale of state shares. Both men deny wrongdoing. The case has changed judges several times over the years and remains a closely watched test of the pace of high-profile corruption prosecutions in Nigeria.