Alleged N25bn fraud: Attorney-General takes over Goje’s case from EFCC

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on Friday took over the case of alleged N25 billion fraud filed against former governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje from the EFCC.
For almost eight years, the EFCC had been prosecuting the former governor until the dramatic twist on Friday. The case, which is before Justice Babatunde Quadiri of Jos Federal High Court II, has even gone to the Jos Court of Appeal over the remaining two count charge out of 21 filed against him by EFCC.
The Appellate Court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the appeal.
When the case came up for an emergency hearing before Justice Quadiri, the EFCC counsel, Mr Wahab Shittu, told the Court that the agency was withdrawing from the case and handing it over to the office of the Attorney-General for continuation.
“My Lord, this case was earlier adjourned to June 20 for continuation of hearing, but then we are here today on the latest development on the matter. We as EFCC counsel are withdrawing from the matter and handing it over to the office of the Attorney-General for continuation of the prosecution. As you can see, in Court today is a State Counsel from the AGF’s office to formally take over this case from us, “ Shittu declared.
Responding, defence counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro (SAN), did not object to the EFCC withdrawal and handing over of the case to the Attorney-General. “My Lord, we are not objecting to the anti-graft agency’s withdrawal and handing over the prosecution to the AG’s office, “ Erokoro said.
Mr Pius Asika, Counsel from the office of the Attorney General, however, announced his appearance for the case. Asika then applied for an adjournment to enable him prepare for the case proper “having come into the matter today (Friday).” Justice Quadiri then adjourned the case to June 21, 2019 for continuation of hearing.