The trial of former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, was on Monday, September 22, 2025, stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja after the defence failed to open its case.

Suswam and his former Finance Commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended 11-count charge over the alleged diversion of N3.1 billion.

The funds were allegedly proceeds from the sale of Benue State shares managed through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited via Elixir Securities and Elixir Investment Partners.

Justice Peter Lifu had earlier, on July 23, dismissed Suswam’s no-case submission and ordered him to present his defence. But at Monday’s sitting, lead counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, requested a three-week adjournment, citing the hospitalisation of a team member, Chenelu Ogbozor, as well as a pending appeal challenging the court’s July ruling.

EFCC lawyer A.O. Atolagbe opposed the request, arguing that the defence had more than two months during the court’s annual recess to prepare.

“This matter has lingered for a decade,” Atolagbe told the court, urging it not to wait for the Court of Appeal unless a specific directive was issued.

Justice Lifu expressed frustration over the prolonged proceedings.

“This case has been on for 10 years. No matter what, a matter should not drag this long,” he said, recounting difficulties locating the scattered case file earlier in the day.

The judge adjourned the trial until October 10, 2025, directing Suswan to open his defence on that date.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the slow pace of work at the new Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal complex in Dakibiyu, Jabi District.

Wike spoke on Monday, after inspecting the Appeal Court site and the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe District.

He said he doubted the contractor could meet the original September 2025 deadline, which was meant to coincide with the Court of Appeal’s legal year celebration.

“I’m afraid; I’m really not too satisfied. I don’t think that the contractor will meet up,” Wike told journalists after the inspection.

The minister said he has called for an urgent meeting with the contractor to find ways to speed up the project.

He stressed that the facility was a priority for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I do know that it will not exceed this year. I have sent them to call the contractor. Let’s put our heads together because it’s one project that is dear to Mr. President,” he said.

He, however, praised the progress of work at the Judges’ Quarters project in Katampe, where 40 five-bedroom duplexes are being built for Justices of the Federal High Court, the FCT High Court, and the Court of Appeal.

“We are impressed with the speed of work and the duration is for them to hand over by January 2026 with complete furnishing. I believe with the way they are going, they may be able to hand over before that date,” he said.

Wike noted that the President’s initiative to provide decent housing for judges was part of efforts to strengthen judicial independence.

Wike explained that President Tinubu’s effort is aimed at giving judges greater independence by providing them with their own secure housing and allowing them to live separately and focus fully on their duties.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has fixed October 8, as deadline for States’ Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions, and licensed Hajji Operators to remit Hajj fares for the 2026 pilgrimage.

NAHCOH spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara disclosed this in a statement to Ekwutosblog on Monday.

Sanda Usara disclosed this in a statement to Ekwutosblog on Monday.

This comes as the Saudi Government announced October 12, 2025 (20 Rabi’ al-Thani 1447H) as the final date for the announcement of pilgrims’ registration and submission of data.

“NAHCON has fixed October 8, 2025, as the cut-off date for State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions, and licensed Hajj Tour Operators to remit Hajj fares for the 2026 pilgrimage.

“The Commission urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the deadlines in order to ensure smooth operations and guarantee a successful Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims”

Earlier, the Chairman of NAHCON, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman, led a delegation of Commissioners and the Secretary of the Commission, Dr Mustapha Ali, to Saudi Arabia to finalise the commission’s synergy with key players ahead of the 2026 Hajj.

According to the Commission, this move is part of preparations in line with the operational calendar released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU).

“This comes as the Saudi authorities had earmarked September 6–23, 2025 (15–29 Safar 1447H) for early contracting and payment for Mashair (camps), while September 23–24, 2025 (1–2 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1447H) has been fixed as the deadline for contracting essential services such as transportation and accommodation”, the statement added.