Abubakar Umar, a witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says he gave Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue, the sum of $15.8 million cash – equivalent of N3.1 billion – at his residence in Abuja in 2014.

In 2020, Suswam and Omadachi Okolobia, a former finance commissioner in Benue, were re-arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering.

They were both accused of diverting N3.1 billion from the state coffers.

They were first arraigned before Ahmed Mohammed, a judge of the federal high court, in 2015.

During Friday’s proceedings, Umar, a bureau de change operator, told the court how he received money from Suswam through proxies on numerous occasions in tranches.

“One day in 2014, when I was in the office, the former governor of Benue State asked me to meet him in his house in Maitama, Abuja. I went and met him in the house together with one fair woman,” he said.

“He asked me to give the woman my account number. I gave the woman my Zenith Bank account number. The woman said she’ll send money into that account.

“On the 8th of August 2014, N413 million was transferred to my account. Based on this, I called the former governor and he told me to change the money to dollars and I asked him to give me time to do that.

“Three days after I bought the dollar equivalent, I called the former governor and informed him that the money was ready. He now asked me to take the money to his house in Maitama, near Jumat Mosque. I now told him that he should inform the security at the gate that I was coming, if not they’ll not allow me access into the gate.

“I took a cab to the house, and after I arrived at the house, I knocked at the gate and they opened. I told them my name. They opened the first and second gates and I sat in the waiting room where he came and met me.

“I now brought out the money which we both confirmed to be the equivalent of the N413 million.

“The total money transferred to my account was N3 billion.”

After hearing the testimony of the witness, Peter Lifu, the judge presiding over the case, adjourned the matter till October 4, 2024, for continuation of trial.

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, October 1, 2024, a public holiday to commemorate the nation’s 64th Independence Day.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on Saturday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.

Tunji-Ojo congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on this occasion and praised the patient and hardworking Nigerian men and women, stating that their sacrifices would not be in vain.

He reiterated the need for Nigerians to reflect on the “labour of our heroes past and be inspired for the tasks ahead, realizing that a Nigeria of our dream can only be built when we unite.”

While wishing Nigerians a Happy Independence Day anniversary, Tunji-Ojo urged the citizens to continue to be steadfast in nation-building.

The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed off the Orchid Shopping Centre in the Eti-Osa area of the state, over threat to public health.

This was disclosed in a statement shared on X.com by the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Friday.

According to the statement, the shopping centre was shut down for discharging wastewater on the road and public drains, thereby creating environmental nuisance and endangering public health.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) today, Friday, September 27, 2024 sealed off Orchid Shopping Centre’s premises located along Orchid Road, Eti-Osa, for discharging wastewater unto the road and public drains thereby creating environmental nuisance and endangering public health.”

The statement further revealed that the agency threatened heavy sanctions on other businesses across the state who are in the habit that pose a threat to public health.

“The agency advices all persons or organisations in the habit of discharging untreated wastewater and sewage into the environment to desist or face sanctions. The necessary sanctions will be served to the property, the owner(s), and occupiers in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.

“The Lagos State Government reiterates that the State has zero tolerance for environmental pollution and degradation,” the statement added.

The statement further revealed that the agency threatened heavy sanctions on other businesses across the state who are in the habit that pose a threat to public health.

“The agency advices all persons or organisations in the habit of discharging untreated wastewater and sewage into the environment to desist or face sanctions. The necessary sanctions will be served to the property, the owner(s), and occupiers in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.

“The Lagos State Government reiterates that the State has zero tolerance for environmental pollution and degradation,” the statement added.