Judge of a federal high court, Justice Okon Abang handling the fraud case involving former governor of Benue state, Senator Gabriel Suswam expressed anger in court Wednesday when his attention was brought to an online publication alleging collusion between him, some APC stakeholders and the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs concerning the case.
The judge who never hid his anger vowed to go after those behind what he described as “malicious publication.”
He then ordered that the Inspector General of Police, Department of State Security and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to jointly carry out a thorough investigation and determine the truth or otherwise alongside their sponsors of the publication.
He also ordered that the joint committee shall submit the report of their findings to the registrar of the court and copies served on counsels representing parties within 21 days from today. Justice Abang who said he considered the publication a serious issue of national interest, said “Upon receipt, the court shall make further consequential order on the matter”.
The alleged injurious publication by some online media was titled “N3.1bn Fraud: Justice Abang Secretly Meets APC Stakeholders, EFCC Prosecutor to Jail Suswam,” and was published on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
The publication had alleged that 30 minutes after the court proceedings on Friday, February 31, 2020, Abang drove in the same convoy with EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs, to the Nnamidi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja where they both flew to Lagos to have a secret meeting with some APC stakeholders.
Igbere TV, the main publishers of the story had on its online website claimed that the secret meeting which took place on Friday night was centred on how to perfect plans to send Suswam, who is now the senator representing Benue North East, to jail.
Prosecution counsel, Jacobs, had informed the court of the publication and expressed his bitterness over the issue stating that “I was nowhere close to the airport after the proceedings last Friday. I went to EFCC Wuse Office after the proceedings and I have not been to Lagos till now.
He further told the court that he had confidence in His lordship that he will not discuss any litigant’s matter with any lawyer. He added: “The story is an allegation made without the fear of God and they will never escape the wrath of God”.
He described the online report as a clear distraction to interfere with the smooth running of the court and he urged the court not to be distracted by the allegations as he said “we know your antecedents and we have confidence in your lordship”
Similarly, defense counsel, C. E. Ogbozor also expressed her displeasure over the publication as she said: “I deeply sympathize with the court on this issue, it is entirely sympathy from the defense team and the defendant himself. The publication is a falsehood and mischief. “It is a distraction from determining the genuine fact of what is going on”.
The matter was adjourned to February 10, 11 and 12, 2020 for further cross examination and continuation of trial.
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