Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, July 16, 2026, adjourned the trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, until September 25, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.
At the commencement of proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the adoption of final written addresses. He, however, noted that he had received a letter from Suswam’s counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, informing him of his inability, as well as that of Suswam, the first defendant, to attend court on health grounds.
The prosecution counsel further informed the court that the defence counsel, in the letter, urged him to apply for an adjournment based on the ill health of the first defendant.
“We are surprised that there is a letter from the first defendant’s counsel saying he will not be in court. I should oppose this application and urge the court to grant us leave to move for the adoption of the final written addresses, rather than seek an adjournment in a case that is 11 years old and before which Your Lordship is the fifth judge to preside,” he said.
Although the prosecution counsel urged the court to adjourn the matter until Friday, July 17, 2026, he requested that the defendant be allowed to participate in the proceedings via Zoom.
“I would urge the court to adjourn this matter until tomorrow and direct that the defendant be connected via Zoom, even if he is at home, to participate in the proceedings. My Lord, we would have closed this case more than a year ago. We saw the first defendant attending public functions as recently as last week. They are making a mockery of the justice system and bringing it into disrepute. My Lord, that is my humble application,” he said.
Counsel to the second defendant, Audu Agunga, SAN, on his part, stated that the reasons contained in the letter suggested that the first defendant needed to rest.
“We are an interested party. We are only fortunate to be in good health. On our part, we are not opposed to the application. It is most warranted and in the interest of justice. The court will be better served, and it has the discretion to grant the application in the circumstances,” he said.
In response, the prosecution counsel frowned at what he described as an attempt by the second defendant’s counsel to assume the role of counsel to the first defendant.
“My Lord, as you can see, my learned friend is taking over as counsel to the first defendant. The role of a respondent to an application is either to object or agree. But he has assumed the role of counsel to the first defendant, which he should not. Your Lordship can even disregard the request for an adjournment because no medical report has been placed before the court. Section 266 of the ACJA provides that an application can be taken even in the absence of the defendant,” he said.
Justice Lifu subsequently adjourned the matter until September 25, 2026, for the adoption of the final written addresses by counsel.
