The trial at the Federal High Court Gombe, of the former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje, being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on charges bordering on conspiracy and money laundering, was today stalled as the defence sought for an adjournment citing his ill health.
Goje who is standing trial before Justice Babatunde Quadri, along with three others, was not in court.
His counsel, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), while presenting a medical report, which he said emanated from the National Assembly Clinic, cited ill-health as the reason for the absence of his client.
He said, “I appeal to the EFCC counsel to accept the adjournment because the first accused person has never been absent in court except today, and he deserves to be respected as the immediate past Governor of the state, and a serving senator.”
The EFCC counsel, Wahab Shittu, who wondered that the accused person was healthy enough to attend political rallies but too sick to attend his trial, opposed the application for adjournment, arguing that the medical report was forged.
He said, “The medical report does not bear the name of the doctor that signed it, and no official stamp is on it.”
He argued further that Sections 122 and 130 of the Criminal Procedure Act states that when an accused on bail is absent in court, the surety must appear to furnish the court with necessary information but in this instance, both the accused and surety were not in court.
The case has however been adjourned till March 17 and 18, 2015 for continuation of hearing.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
