Benue Probe: Panel Summons Ex-Gov Suswam
In a letter of invitation to the former governor signed by the chairman of the commission, Justice Elizabeth Kpojime, yesterday, Suswam is to among other issues, provide all relevant information and documents relating to his financial approvals.
The former governor is expected to explain to the commission reasons behind the termination of the contract to Bi-Water and subsequent award and revision of the contract to MS Gilmor Construction Company for the greater Makurdi water works and respective payments for the contract.
It said Suswam would explain to the commission details about the approval and disbursement of over N68 billion under the sub-head: “logistics funds for security surveillance,” where more than N1 billion was spent monthly in some cases during his time as governor.
“The former governor is also to clear the air on receipt and utilisation of about N14billion SURE-P funds that accrued to the state during his tenure.”
…No, I Won’t Appear – Suswam
But Suswam has said that he will not appear before the Justice Margaret Kpojime-led panel since he has gone to court to challenge the propriety of the setting up of the commission.
In a statement signed by him and made available in Abuja yesterday, Suswam said he had approached the High Court in Makurdi to challenge the legality of the commission and therefore, would not honour the invitation extended to him to appear before it tomorrow.
Besides, Suswam said although he had great respect for the chairman of the commission who is a serving judge of the state High Court, other members of the commission were card carrying members of the ruling- All Progressives Congress (APC), as he was unlikely to get any fair hearing from such partisan members of the commission.
According to the former governor, the panel set up by his successor, Governor Samuel Ortom, was designed to witch hunt him, adding that going by the several published statements of the governor, the commission had a pre- determined outcome which was to find him guilty.
“The Governor of Benue State has repeatedly said he will send me to jail. That means that the outcome of the Commission is already known to him” he stated.
Dr Suswam advised the Commission to approach the State Executive Council Secretariat to obtain records of all approvals given to projects executed by his administration since those approvals were carried out by the EXecutive Council.
He said most of the information being sought from him by the Judicial Commission were available in the comprehensive handing notes he presented to the State Governor adding that the issues raised in the letter of invitation which he saw in the media bothered on either mischief or ignorance of certain processes and procedures in the business of government.
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