Alleged N5bn fraud: Tension as ex-Gombe gov, Goje knows fate, Mar 22

Justice Babatunde Quadri of a Federal High Court, sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has fixed March 22, 2019 to rule on the “no-case” submission filed by a former governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje.

Goje, a serving Senator, is standing trial along with a former Executive Chairman of the state’s University Basic Education Board, Aliyu El-Nafaty; S.M. Dokoro, and the ex-governor’s cousin, Sabo Tumu for an alleged N5 billion fraud.

They are alleged to have been involved in alleged financial impropriety, including the award of contracts for food supply to the state’s Government House, during his tenure.

The EFCC had through its counsel, Wahab Shittu, closed its case against them, on May 31, 2018 after calling 25 witnesses and tendering several documents to prove its case.

Rather than open its defence, counsel for Goje, Chris Uche, SAN, on September 14, 2018 filed a “no-case” submission.

At today’s proceeding, January 25, 2019 Uche informed the Court of the death of Tumu. He tendered the death certificate and police report, which indicated that he died in an accident.

Shittu, thereafter, expressed the shock of the prosecution, and condoled with the family of the deceased. He then applied that his name be struck out of the charge sheet.

“It is against the law anywhere in the world to continue trial of a dead person,” he said.

The trial judge granted his application, and Tumu’s name was removed.

Justice Quadri, thereafter, adjourned to rule on the no-case submission.