I Didn’t See Any Disbursement In The Name Of Sen. Danjuma Goje And 4 Orders, Witness Told Court
Yakubu Busari
One of the witnesses to the Access Bank who is in charge of compliance, a compliance officer has acknowledged that Senator Danjuma Goje name was not a signatory to the two bank accounts used in disbursements of the loan obtained by the Gombe state Government in 2011.
He disclosed this during his cross examination by the defenses counsel, Barr. Chris Uche at the Federal High Court, Jos on Tuesday.
The witness, Mr. Ifesineke Owafil, a Compliant Officer, Access Bank Plc, told the court that neither the first ,second ,third and Fourth defendants names appeared in the disbursements bank list for the alleged loan granted for the completion of Gombe state Olympia stadium ,Gombe international Airport, Tudun Wada Water scheme and international Hotel respectively.
The witness, Mr Ifesineke Owafil, Compliant Officer, Access Bank Plc, admitted that he join the Bank in 2013 and the court trial started between 2011 in his statement tender as exhibit after when the case of money laundering has been established . in the his statements mark exhibit LLL to EFCC which could not contain specific dateline on the witness statement.
According to him, defense counsel Barr Chris Uche ,the exhibit “W” statement of OFFER 5 billion to Gombe state government ,where he admits as the letter of offer was one of the conditions to facilitate requirement for the resolution of the Gombe state House of Assembly that led to the approval of the said loan.
The compliance officer said, I don’t know when the Bank started relationship with Gombe state government but I also know the Gombe state compliant with all the 8 conditions spelt out in obtaining loan in Access Bank.
Owafil in exhibit NNN confirmed to the court of receiving communication through the Gombe State House of Assembly resolution to clerk and copied the Speaker dated 6th January, 2011 in respect.
While on cross examination by the defense counsel Barr Chris Uche, he admitted that the executive arms of government is responsible in accordance with the resolution.
The witness says, no I don’t have any idea but I saw this letter sometimes last year in the custody of the prosecuting counsel, the EFCC Barrister Wahab Shiite.
He also told the Federal High Court sitting in Jos that the Honourable Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria alleged N5 billion facilities load issue to Gombe state government has no link to the scam.
A witness in Danjuma Goje’s alleged N25 billion fraud cases told the court on Tuesday that no kobo out of Gombe State N5 billon Loan facility from Access Bank entered into his (Goje’s) account.
“You would recalled ,Goje, a serving senator, has been facing an 18- count charge of conspiracy and money laundering since 2012 along with Alhaji Aliyu El-Nafarty (former Chairman, Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board), Alhaji Sambo Mohammed Tumu (the ex- governor’s cousin and food supplier to Government House) and S.M. Dakoro, a businessman”.
According EFCC, They were alleged to have conspired to defraud the state of about N25 billion which represented proceeds of illegal acts, contrary to and punishable under Sections 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2011 as amended.
The judge, Justice Benjamin Quadiri in his testimony that the loan facility obtained by Gombe was disbursed to various banks and not to individuals.
Mr Wahab Shittue, the EFCC’s prosecuting Counsel, who had led the Prosecution witness in confirming documents obtained from the bank, tendered the bank statements through which the loan was obtained and disbursed.
The witnessed testified to all the documents and so they were accepted in evidence by the court.
Owafil, who was been cross examined by Chief Chris Uche (SAN), Counsel to Goje, said that the loan facility came in four tranches and distributed to different bnanks.
When asked whether during the disbursement at any point see where money was transferred in Goje’s or any of the accused’ names, the witness said, “no I didn’t see it.’’
“I didn’t see it; I have told you that our bank, Access bank Plc, granted the loan facility after the former administration met the conditions of the bank.
“The money entered into two accounts of the state, FAAC and Capital Project accounts, which thereafter were disbursed to various banks, ’’ the witness explained.
He told the court that the then administration had met the eight loan condition before it was granted and had never at any time had problem with the state.
When asked the loan was meant for as contained in the government’s letter to the bank, Owafil said, “it was meant for the development of the state with infrastructures such as Gombe International Airport and Hospital, Tudun Wada water projects among others.
Owafil also confirmed that at his bank did not have any problem with the transaction and never complained to EFCC or any authority or person.
Our Correspondent reports that the trial Judge adjourned the case for continuation of hearing on Wednesday, June 21, 2017.
