The absence of former governor of Gombe
State, Danjuma Goje in court on Thursday November 8, 2012 stalled hearing in
the 18 count charge of Conspiracy and Money Laundering instituted against him
and four others: Alhaji Aliyu El –Nafarty (former Chairman Gombe State
Universal Basic Education Board), Alhaji Sambo Mohammed Tumu and S.M. Dakoro (a
businessman), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
At the last adjourned date, the
trial judge, Justice Babatunde Quadri of the Federal High Court Gombe had fixed
8th and 9th November, 2012 for accelerated hearing.
When the matter was mentioned, the
prosecution was shocked that the 1st accused, Danjuma Goje was not
in court. Lead Defence counsel Chris Uche SAN, produced a medical report
purportedly issued by the National Assembly Clinic Abuja, and signed by one Dr.
Yero S.I. as evidence that his client was not fit to be present in court. The
report claim that Goje is under observation for “acute exacerbation of
hypertension due to an underlying stress”.
Prosecution counsel, Wahab Shittu drew
the court’s attention to fact that the prosecution witnesses were in court and
that the matter was specifically adjourned to November 8 to accommodate Danjuma
Goje’s travel for the Hajj.
Shittu wondered how a person that
travelled from Saudi Arabia after the Hajj and attended a plenary session at
the senate would find it difficult to travel to Gombe for a court appearance.
He therefore demanded that the court
issues a bench warrant for the arrest of the 1st accused person or
adjourn for his appearance in court on Friday, November 9, 2012.
But Uche, SAN urged the court to
adjourn proceedings as a criminal trial requires the presence of an accused
person. Alternatively, he said the prosecution should strike the name of the 1st
accused from the charge and proceed with the trial of the other accused
persons.
Shittu rejected the suggestion to
strike out Goje from the charge. “The charge will not be split because they are
interlinked and interrelated with all accused persons, also I do not intend and
will not withdraw the charges against the accused persons now or forever until
the matter is determined on its merit by the court”, he said.
He urged the court to be mindful of
attempts to delay and scuttle the trial.
Justice B. O. Quadri however upheld the
medical report, since, according to him, there was no contrary report from the
prosecution; and adjourned proceedings till Tuesday 22nd and
Wednesday 23rd January 2013.
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