The Department of State Services, DSS, on Wednesday
explained why it has continued to hold the immediate past governor of Benue
State, Gabriel Suswam, in custody.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo, the secret
police said the former governor had failed to cooperate with its investigators.
The secret police said Suswam’s continued detention which
had lasted for over a month was legal.
Opuiyo said, “The case of former Governor of Benue State,
Gabriel Suswam, is typical.
“
The Service has continued to hold him in line with the
dictates of the law – more so that he has not cooperated on the issues
concerning the recovery of large cache of arms at his facilities.”
DSS stressed that it has “valid detention warrants” to keep
Suswam, adding that “he will be charged accordingly, once the investigations
are concluded.”
Recall that the secret police had on February 2017 arrested
the former governor over allegations of fraud and illegal possession of arms.
Operatives of the DSS had recovered from weapons from
Suswam’s Abuja property during his arrest.
Weapons recovered included, Glock pistol with two magazines and
a total of 29 rounds of ammunition, Mini-Uzi with two magazines containing 10
rounds and four rounds respectively; forty-two (42) extra rounds of ammunition
contained in a pack; and one AK-47 rifle.
Other items recovered include, twenty-one Certificates of
Occupancy (C of O) and one (1) Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy; 23 luxury
designer watches; and 45 keys to various exotic cars were also said to have
been recovered from the property.
