Yakubu Busari
A Federal High Court No 2 sitting in Jos the Plateau State Capital, over the case between the EFCC and former Governor of Gombe State Sen Danjuma Goje has been adjourned to 21st June 2019 after the emergency sitting slated to Friday.
It was gathered that the Federal Government of Nigeria is set to withdraw charges of money laundering suit against the former Governor of Gombe state, now Senator representing Gombe Central, as the Attorney General of the Federation is set to take over the case come 21st June 2019.
The Prosecution Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC), Barr Wahab Shittu who announced his presence in court said it is for the Commission to step aside to allow the Attorney General of the federation to continue the matter.
It would be recalled that the Federal High Court sitting in Jos Division has withdrawn charges against late Alh Sambo Mohammed Tumu of Gombe state who died in a car accident.
It was gathered that the 21 count charges against the former Governor of Gombe state might likely be quashed because the section 175 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has given power to the Attorney General to withdraw charges on any citizen based on the interest of justice or for a peaceful coexistence of the federal government.
In a case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs former Governor of Gombe State, Sen. Danjuma Goje and 3 orders that are standing trial of money laundering in Jos, the 4th accused person died in a car accident.
Barrister Shittu told the court, he is not objecting to the application brought by the Attorney General to take over the case, and indeed on behalf of EFCC.
The emergency sitting didn’t last more than 30 minutes today and it was confirmed officially before the honorable court.
Two senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, Chris Uche, and Paul Erokoro earlier told the court that they have no objections to the suit against Goje taking over by the Attorney General of the federation.
Chris Uche was absent in the last sitting owning to the Goje ill health and EFCC was moving fresh application amendments of charges against Goje.
The presiding judge justice Babatude Quadri has adjourned to 21st June 2019 for the Attorney General of the federation to take over the matter.
As it is the over eight years Trial of Senator Danjuama Gone, Gombe and Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation, on Friday took a new dimension, the earlier Adjourned date on 20th June, 2019, suddenly came up today for continuation of hearing, on resumption, the office of the Attorney General through her representative, my Lord, I have the consent of the Attorney General to take over the case for the interest of Justice. The Attorney General expressed his appreciation to all the parties.
Responding, the Defence counsel, Paul Eroko said no objection, pursuant to section 174 Sub-1(v) only hope that will expedite action because 19 out of 21 charges had gone. Wahab Shitu, the prosecuting counsel Wahab Shitu did not object the application, absolutely no objection my lord for Attorney general to take over at this stage.
We wish to express our gratitude to the court and learned silk for almost 8 years of the prosecution. The EFCC has already briefed us on the development. On this note, we take a bow and with the interest of Justice is served.
The Presiding Judge; Justice Babatunde Qadri Adjourned the case to June 21th 2019 for the Respondent to open their defense.
