Ex-Governor offers to return N40m out of alleged N25bn loot

Senator Danjuma Goje

 The Economic and Fi­nancial Crimes Com­mission (EFCC) has rejected the out-of-court settlement terms by former Gombe Governor, Senator Danjuma Goje, and four oth­ers.

Others are a former Gombe State Government House food supplier, Alhaji Sabo Moham­med Tumu; a former Execu­tive Chairman, State Univer­sal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Aliyu Ubadone El-Na­faty; a businessman, S. M. Do­koro; and a firm, S. M. Dokoro Gombe.

The accused persons, who were first arraigned on Oc­tober 17, 2011 are facing an 18-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering of about N25billion.

Some of the charges in­clude securing N5billion loan for infrastructural projects from without the approval of the House of Assembly; al­leged diversion of N1.6billion meant for the purchase of dic­tionaries to other projects; al­leged mismanagement of N1billion for commercial ag­riculture credit scheme under the supervision of the Central Bank of Nigeria; and award of N1.8billion food supply con­tract to the ex governor's cousin without bid process.

The reports that the accused proposed an out-of-court settlement during a plea bargain negotiation session held between the EFCC team and their representatives.

The session had in atten­dance the prosecutor, Mr. Wa­hab Shittu, the Chief of Staff to the EFCC chairman, represen­tatives from the Legal Unit of the anti-graft agency; the de­fence counsel, Mr. Paul Ero­koro (SAN) and Goje’s repre­sentative.

A source said: “Goje and others only opted for an out-of-court settlement instead of a plea bargain. They insist­ed that they have no case to answer because they alleged­ly committed no wrong. They vowed never to go into any plea bargain.

“At the end of the day, they offered to pay back only N40million to the Federal In­land Revenue Service (FIRS), being accruable tax unpaid by the food supplier, who is standing trial.

“Later, the defense team re­duced the amount payable to a ridiculous rate of N20million. They even added a clause that any payment effected should be credited to one of the ac­cused persons and not Goje.

“They said once the terms are accepted, the EFCC should withdraw the charg­es against all the accused per­sons.”

“All the conditions are ridic­ulous. This is a case in which a former Clerk of 

Gombe State House of Assembly, Shehu Mohammed Atiku, has told a Federal High Court that the ex-governor forged the Reso­lution of the House and col­lected N5bn (five billion nai­ra) facility from a bank.

“We already have a heap of evidence before the court to strengthen prosecution. We will go ahead with the trial of all the accused persons”.

Meanwhile, Justice B. O. Quadri has adjourned the matter till January 17 when the EFCC will tell that the out-of-court negotiation has collapsed.