• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • PRNigeria Fellows and CEO IMPR Yushau A Shuaib

      PRNigeria Fellowship: A Model for NIPSS Kuru

      Africa’s Economic Ties Deepen as Nigeria, Benin Sign Joint Trade Plan

      Customs Partners US Mission to Prevent Expanded Visa Ban

      Nigeria Customs Partners China on Smarter Ports, Officer Training, Reforms

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

  • National
    • Pantami Urges Presidential Rewards for Nigerian Teen, Nafisa Aminu Who Topped…

      Customs Unveils Reputation Handbook to Guide Officers’ Conduct, Rebrand Agency

      CDCFIB

      Correctional Service Elevates 30 Officers to Assistant Controller General Rank

      Troops Intercept Illicit Logistics Bound for Cameroon, Uncovers, Destroys 14 IEDs…

      Group photograph of Staffs of VON and representatives from RATTAWU

      We are Here to Fix The Voice of Nigeria as A…

    • Government
      • Pantami Urges Presidential Rewards for Nigerian Teen, Nafisa Aminu Who Topped…

        Secretary State Government Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim receives report on Commissioner alleged role in drug baron bail

        Kano Govt Receives Report on Commissioner’s Alleged Role in Drug Baron’s…

        Group photograph of Staffs of VON and representatives from RATTAWU

        We are Here to Fix The Voice of Nigeria as A…

        The Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin (L), receiving the President of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi (R), who led a delegation to pay him a courtesy visit in his office.

        Why Investments in Local Sugar Production is Profitable Now – NSDC…

        Kemi Badenoch

        Kemi Oomoale Badenough: A Liar By no Other Name by Chief…

  • Security
    • Nigerian Army Launches New Welfare Initiatives for Retiring Soldiers

      CDCFIB

      Correctional Service Elevates 30 Officers to Assistant Controller General Rank

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      After 21 Years, Gen. TY Danjuma Relaunches Union Dicon Salt to…

      Rivers Police Arrest Suspects in Lawyer’s Murder, Recover Weapons

      Police Officer

      Police Eliminate 8 Terrorists in Zamfara as Bandits Abduct 5 Residents,…

  • Features
    • Tinubu, Atiku and Peter Obi

      Atiku, Obi and the ‘Confused Marriage’ Called ADC

      Kwankwaso, Northern Nigeria and the Politics of Marginalisation

      Kemi Badenoch

      Kemi Oomoale Badenough: A Liar By no Other Name by Chief…

      DSS, NNPCL and EFCC

      NNPCL Controversy: Arewa Economic Forum Raises Alarm as EFCC, DSS Refute…

      Tinubu’s Greek gift by Festus Adedayo

  • State
    • Secretary State Government Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim receives report on Commissioner alleged role in drug baron bail

      Kano Govt Receives Report on Commissioner’s Alleged Role in Drug Baron’s…

      Rivers Police Arrest Suspects in Lawyer’s Murder, Recover Weapons

      Police Officer

      Police Eliminate 8 Terrorists in Zamfara as Bandits Abduct 5 Residents,…

      Troops Intercept Illicit Logistics Bound for Cameroon, Uncovers, Destroys 14 IEDs…

      Prof Pate donates laptops to UNIMAID

      Prof Pate donates 20 Laptop Computers to UNIMAID

  • Event
    • Pantami Urges Presidential Rewards for Nigerian Teen, Nafisa Aminu Who Topped…

      NIPR President Ike Neliaku and Customs Boss Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      NIPR Lauds Customs’ Reputation Reforms, Announces Annual PR Officer Award

      Prof Pate donates laptops to UNIMAID

      Prof Pate donates 20 Laptop Computers to UNIMAID

      D'Tigress Basketball team

      Will Presidential Gifts Follow as Nigerian Female Basketballers D’Tigress Reach 5th…

      The Paramount Ruler of Oka-Akoko, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON, the Olubaka of Oka

      Olubaka of Oka Praises Foundation for “Best Oka Day” Festival

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Anti-Corruption EFCC Cries Foul as Witness Recants on Suswam, Businesswoman Goes to ...
  • Anti-Corruption

EFCC Cries Foul as Witness Recants on Suswam, Businesswoman Goes to Jail for $240,000 Fraud

By
Wilson Uwujaren
-
February 1, 2018
EFCC
EFCC Operatives

Suswam: EFCC Cries Foul as Witness Recants

The trial of Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue State in a case of N3.1billion fraud resumed on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 before Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja with one of the prosecution witnesses, Abubakar Umar, recanting the statement he had earlier volunteered to the EFCC.

Umar, a Bureau De Change operator, had on November 22, 2017 narrated how he helped the former governor to convert the sum of N3.111billion into dollars (which amounted to $15.8 million), between August and October 2014.

Umar, who is the PW4, said he converted the money and took same to Suswam at his house in Maitama, Abuja but later changed and told the court that he took the money to government house, Benue state.
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs,SAN, who noted that Umar’s testimony before the court was contradictory to the evidence he gave in a statement he volunteered to the EFCC, urged the court to declare him a hostile witness.
Consequently, Justice Mohammed ordered Jacobs to cross-examine the witness on his contradiction in his oral testimony as to where he took the money to, and also the circumstances that led to him giving that statement.

At the resumed sitting on Wednesday, January 31, Jacobs showed Umar his statement of August 12, 2016 and sought to tender same in evidence.

Umar’s statement in the document was made through an interpreter, Idris Yakubu, who happens to be his (Umar) brother in-law.
Umar, while reading from his statement through the court’s interpreter said, “On my last day in court, the evidence I gave to the court in respect of Gabriel Suswan’s case regarding the N3.1billion for purchase of dollars that I gave him in his house was not the right one. I gave a wrong statement due to the pressure from people close to the former governor. I received calls to change my statement in order that I would be compensated with money”.
J. P Daudu, SAN, counsel to Suswam, objected to the admissibility of the document relying on Section 83(3) of the Evidence Act saying, “for the interested person in the dispute which is sought to be resolved, the statement should have been made in his own hands but was done by one Idris Yakubu and so there should be a jurat for the disposition to be satisfactory”.
Daudu argued that the statement sought to be tendered was made over one year ago after the prosecution had been given time to put its house in order.

He argued that the statement was not that of Umar as “he cannot write in English”. He stressed that the statement should have been taken in its original text before it is translated.

The learned silk, therefore, asked where the original text in Hausa was. He described the statement as “documentary hearsay evidence” as the interpreter had not been called.

Also, Okolobia’s counsel, F.R. Onoja objected to the admissibility of the document by aligning himself with the arguments of Daudu.
He added that the maker of the statement is not the one who was called to tender the statement which offends Section 83 (1b) of the Evidence Act.

Responding, Jacobs said, “My Lord, the question is whether the document is relevant to this proceedings or not. And, the answer is that the document is relevant to enable the court decide the circumstances and events surrounding the testimony of the witness particularly his evidence of May 5, 2016”

While relying on the court’s ruling of December 12, 2017, as well as Section 83 of the Evidence Act, Jacobs added that “any evidence that shows circumstance of the testimony surrounding that day is relevant and if the statement is relevant, it is admissible”.
He also relied on Section 205 and 206 of the Evidence Act, adding that “the witness cannot be regarded as an illiterate even though he cannot write in English”.

Jacobs argued that the witness authorised his brother in-law, Yakubu, to write on his behalf and he voluntarily gave his statement to EFCC, stressing that the witness signed it after it was read to him in English and translated.

Jacobs also argued that for Section 83 of the Evidence Act to apply, the court has to look at the maker of the document, if he signs it, he is deemed to be the maker.

Read Also:

  • Pantami Urges Presidential Rewards for Nigerian Teen, Nafisa Aminu Who Topped Global English Competition
  • NIPR Lauds Customs’ Reputation Reforms, Announces Annual PR Officer Award
  • Customs Unveils Reputation Handbook to Guide Officers’ Conduct, Rebrand Agency

Umar, while further reading from his earlier statement to the EFCC said , “In august 2014, my boss, former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan, called me to his house in Abuja and introduced me to a lady whom he never told me her name and asked me to give her my account details, and I did. Mr. Suswan told me that she would transfer money to me and that when I receive alert I should give him the dollar equivalent”.

Umar according to his statement told the court that he handed over the money to Suswan at his house in Maitama, Abuja, adding that “all the times I took dollars to Suswam, I always took different taxis for my security so that nobody would know I am carrying cash or where I am going to”.

He also added that he did not know any security man attached to Suswan’s house as they were always changed. Umar said he used to call Suswan before going to the house so that he can leave his name at the gate.

Umar added that whenever he gets to the house, he does not interact with anyone but remains in the car until Suswan comes out, takes him to a private part of his house where he gives him the money in dollars. He added that Suswan does not acknowledge the receipt of all the monies in writing.

Four statements rendered by Umar on different dates were tendered and admitted in evidence.

When asked by Jacobs why he told the court that he took the money to government house in Benue, Umar answered by saying “I did not tell the court Benue, I only told the court that I took the money to government house”.

When asked again, he said: “I took the money to government house in Abuja for the former governor”.
The matter has been adjourned to March 14, 2018 for ruling on the admissibility of the document and continuation of trial.

Suswan is standing alongside his finance commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia for allegedly defrauding Benue state government to the tune of N3.1bn while in office.

They were on November 10, 2015 arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on 9-counts of financial impropriety and money laundering.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
1 February, 2018

………………………………………………………….

Court Jails Business Woman 10 Years for $240,000 Fraud
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a business woman, Taiwo Martins, to 10years imprisonment on 11-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and issuance of dud cheque to the tune of $240,000.

The convict was prosecuted alongside her company, Baal-Perazim Investment Limited, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following receipt of a petition from a complainant, Sholari Olasunkami, on May 19, 2011.

Martins allegedly told the complainant that she could help him secure a credit facility of $65,000,000.00 (Sixty-five Million United States Dollars), if he could raise a sum of $300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Dollars) to access it.

The complainant further alleged that he could only raise an initial sum of $240,000.00 (Two Hundred and Forty Thousand Dollars) out of the $300,000.

Martins allegedly became evasive after collecting the money.

The convict was said to have become suspicious after coming in contact with a publication, where a disclaimer was placed on the defendant by a company, Broad Gate Group Plc., warning members of the public not to do business with Bal-perazim Investment Limited.

Martins was later arrested by the EFCC.

In the course of the trial, the prosecuting counsel, Ayokunle Fayanju, called three witnesses, including Alex Ogoble, an operative of the EFCC, and tendered several documents as exhibits.

Justice Ipaye on Tuesday, January 30, found Martins guilty and sentenced her to 10years imprisonment on seven counts of obtaining by false pretence.

She was, however, acquitted and discharged on counts 8 to 11.

The judge also ordered the convict to restitute the sum of $240,000 (Two Hundred and Forty Thousand United States Dollars) to the victim.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
1 February, 2018

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Benue State
  • efcc
  • Gabriel Suswan
Previous articlePort-Harcourt Prison Has 5000 Inmates Instead of 800 – VP Osinbajo
Next articleNAF Remotely Eliminates Terrorists inside Armored Tank
Wilson Uwujaren
Wilson Uwujaren
https://prnigeria.com
PRNigeria is the pioneer Press Release Distribution agency in Nigeria. A member of image Merchant Promotions limited, PRNigeria encourages individuals and organisations to be more transparent in their information management. with dedicated Editorial staffs, the PRNigeria ensures that information provided on its platforms are timely, factual and authoritative Read more at: //prnigeria.com/about/
Facebook Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Pantami Urges Presidential Rewards for Nigerian Teen, Nafisa Aminu Who Topped Global English Competition

Customs Unveils Reputation Handbook to Guide Officers’ Conduct, Rebrand Agency

Rivers Police Arrest Suspects in Lawyer’s Murder, Recover Weapons

Police Officer

Police Eliminate 8 Terrorists in Zamfara as Bandits Abduct 5 Residents, Rustle Cattle

Troops Intercept Illicit Logistics Bound for Cameroon, Uncovers, Destroys 14 IEDs in Borno

PRNigeria Fellows and CEO IMPR Yushau A Shuaib

PRNigeria Fellowship: A Model for NIPSS Kuru

International Press Institute IPI

IPI Nigeria Demands Immediate Reopening of Badegi FM, Threatens to List Governor Bago in Black Book

Troops Kill 3 Terrorists in Borno, Recover Weapons, Motorcycles

NDLEA Logo

NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Tramadol Hidden in Vehicle Side Mirrors, Arrests Multiple Suspects Nationwide

Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari

Purported Resignation: Who are after NNPC Boss Bashir Ojulari

D'Tigress Basketball team

Will Presidential Gifts Follow as Nigerian Female Basketballers D’Tigress Reach 5th Consecutive AfroBasket Final?

After ₦250m Ransom Demand, Security Guard Arrested for Murder of Caregiver, Toddler in Abuja School

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Recent Posts

  • Pantami Urges Presidential Rewards for Nigerian Teen, Nafisa Aminu Who Topped Global English Competition
  • NIPR Lauds Customs’ Reputation Reforms, Announces Annual PR Officer Award
  • Customs Unveils Reputation Handbook to Guide Officers’ Conduct, Rebrand Agency
  • Atiku, Obi and the ‘Confused Marriage’ Called ADC
  • Nigerian Army Launches New Welfare Initiatives for Retiring Soldiers
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Pantami Urges Presidential Rewards for Nigerian Teen, Nafisa Aminu Who Topped Global English CompetitionNIPR Lauds Customs’ Reputation Reforms, Announces Annual PR Officer AwardCustoms Unveils Reputation Handbook to Guide Officers’ Conduct, Rebrand AgencyAtiku, Obi and the ‘Confused Marriage’ Called ADCNigerian Army Launches New Welfare Initiatives for Retiring SoldiersCorrectional Service Elevates 30 Officers to Assistant Controller General RankAfter 21 Years, Gen. TY Danjuma Relaunches Union Dicon Salt to Revive Local IndustryKano Govt Receives Report on Commissioner's Alleged Role in Drug Baron's BailRivers Police Arrest Suspects in Lawyer's Murder, Recover WeaponsPolice Eliminate 8 Terrorists in Zamfara as Bandits Abduct 5 Residents, Rustle CattleTroops Intercept Illicit Logistics Bound for Cameroon, Uncovers, Destroys 14 IEDs in BornoWe are Here to Fix The Voice of Nigeria as A True Instrument of National Power – DG VONWhy Investments in Local Sugar Production is Profitable Now - NSDC BossKwankwaso, Northern Nigeria and the Politics of MarginalisationKemi Oomoale Badenough: A Liar By no Other Name by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
X whatsapp