The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, granted bail to the former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam and two others who were arraigned on a fresh charge of money laundering.
Suswam was arraigned alongside commissioner of Finance in Benue State under Suswam’s administration, Omadachi Oklobia, and the then Accountant of Benue State Government House Administration, Janet Aluga.
The defendants were accused of diverting the sum of 9.79billion naira, part of which was meant for police reform programme, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme SURE-P.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the 32-count charges of fraud, money laundering and financial misappropriation levelled against them.
Ruling on his bail application, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, granted the defendants bail in the sum N250m each with one surety each in like sum.
He ordered that each surety must be a director or principal officer not below level 12 in the local, state or Federal establishment.
The Judge further adjourned the matter till Oct. 10, for commencement of trial.
