The International Center For Justice Reforms (ICJR) has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari and Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom to come clear on the allegations that Senator Gabriel Suswam was indeed involved in gun running and arms dealing.
The group at a press conference addressed in Abuja by it’s country director, Charles Edet maintained that it was important for President Buhari’s administration to come clean and clear on the status of the investigation.
Recall that the former governor of Benue state now Senator was arrested in 2017 by the the Department of State security following a petition written by the Benue state government.
The DSS said at the time that it acted swiftly upon a classified petition and found incriminating evidence including arms and ammunition as well as other exhibits on Sen Suswam’s property in Maitama.
The secret service further highlighted that the petition also accused Sen Suswam of actually financing criminal gangs in Sankera axis of the state led by the late Terwase Akwaza AKA GANA.
“Security of lives and property has been a prime objective of this administration, therefore such heavy allegations can not be swept under the carpet.
“When the Senator was arrested by the DSS and detained for 73 days , speculations were rift that it was a political witch-hunt, so the government need to clarify on this to assure the citizens of their commitment to fairness and security”, the group noted.
It further averred that, until the late Terwase Akwaza was killed by the military, he had caused irreparable damage to lives and property, including killing military, police and politicians as well as locals and business people at random.
“If therefore, there was an allegations against Sen Suswam for sponsorship of such criminal gang, there is every need for conclusive investigation to be done on the matter.
“We call on President Buhari, the Department of State Security Service and governor Samuel Ortom to ensure that this investigation is concluded in the interest of justice.
“If the Benue state government suddenly losses interest, then it clearly shows, it was a political witch-hunt”, the group submitted.
The group further said it is worried why Sen Suswam himself had not taken steps to challenge his arrest and detention in Court and wondered if this implies that he actually has a link with the dreaded criminal gang currently terrorizing the state.
“This same gang recently killed 5 people in residence of the chairman of katsina Ala Local Government and have killed more than 100 people including security personnel in the last few weeks which neccesitated a ban on use of motorcycles in the axis”..
The group pledged to submit a new petition to the Department of State Security Service as a reminder to know the status of the investigation.
