Ayobamiji Komolafe 
The sixth prosecution witness, Abubakar Umar in the ongoing trial of former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, has detailed how he delivered $15.8 million in cash to Suswam at his Maitama, Abuja residence in 2014.
According to Umar, the dollar which is equivalent to N3.1 billion then was transferred to him by Suswam, through a proxy, in several tranches.
Speaking during the court proceedings at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, Umar, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator and CEO of Fanffash Resources, testified that Suswam directed him to convert the N3.1 billion, sent via a proxy woman, into US dollars.
The funds were part of the proceeds from the sale of Benue State government shares, facilitated by the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) Limited, through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
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Umar explained that the transfers began on August 8, 2014, with N413 million sent to his account, he then converted the amount into dollars and personally delivered the equivalent of $15.8 million to Suswam.
The witness detailed how the remaining transfers, including amounts of N637 million, N363 million, N630 million, and N1.068 billion, were made to his account, totalling N3.1 billion.
Each time, the money was converted into dollars and delivered to Suswam.
The witness, while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, confirmed that the woman handled the transfers on Suswam’s instructions.
Despite not having receipts or formal records of the transactions, Umar noted that his dealings were based on discretion, as he sourced dollars from fellow retailers.
Suswam, alongside his former Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, is facing 11 counts of money laundering relating to the N3.1 billion.
The trial has been ongoing since 2018, with the case adjourned to October 4, 2024, for further hearings.
