Court strikes out alleged N5b fraud case against Goje

Gyang Bere, Jos

The Federal High Court sitting in Jos, has struck out the case against former Governor of Gombe State, Sen. Danjuma Goje, who was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of forgery and diversion of N5 billion while serving as governor in 2010 although the court said Goje has more explanations to make on the alleged auction of vehicles belonging to Gombe State government without due process.

In a judgement delivered yesterday, Justice Babatunde Quadiri, said the EFCC witnesses brought before the court failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant, Danjuma Goje and three others committed the said offence. He told the defendants to prepare their defense for counts 8 and 9, which accused them of auctioning Gombe State government’s vehicles without due process.

The defence counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro (SAN) said the judgement was fair since 19 count charges that bothered on the alleged N5 billion was struck out leaving two count charges on the auction of government vehicles.

He said, they are ready to defend the case since it was the then Commissioner of Finance that recommended the auctioning of the vehicles, which were unserviceable for about seven years and the governor authorized it.

The EFCC’s counsel, Mr Wahab Shittu, praised Justice Quadiri for the ruling and said the two counts charges held against the defendants are heavy weight.

Counsels to both parties jointly applied for the adjournment and Justice Quadiri thereafter adjourned the case to May 8 for defence.