The Federal High Court in Gombe State yesterday granted bail to former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje and four others that are standing trial for alleged involvement in financial crimes and corrupt enrichment.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Goje and other accused persons? on an 18-count charge of? alleged laundering of about N24.18bn of the state funds.
Apart from Goje, the other accused are Aliyu El-Nafaty;? former Chairman, Gombe State Education Board,? Sabo Tumu; and Sallau Dokoro,? who.
But the accused had pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the alleged offence.
In his ruling on the accused’s bail application, Justice Babatunde Quadri, granted temporary freedom to the ex-governor and others in the sum of N200m with two sureties.
According to the judge, the two sureties must be indigenes of the state and must own landed property located within Gombe metropolis precisely in the Government Reserved Area (GRA).
The judge added that the sureties must also present three years certificate of tax clearance together with original of the title document of the landed property.
The case has been adjourned till December 7.
Doma to Re-appear In Court Today
In a related development,?? former Nasarawa State Governor? Aliyu Akwe Doma was arraigned? at the Federal High Court Lafia yesterday for alleged landering of N18bn of? state funds.
Doma, who was brought to the premises of the court by the operatives of EFCC at about 9am, appeared in a blue agbada, with blue cap to match and a black half shoe alongside some of his former aides.
Those arraigned with Doma include? former secretary to the state government, Timothy? Anjide, the former accountant -general, Dauda Egwa and Senator? John Danboyi.
Lawyer to the EFCC, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), had requested that the charge against the accused should be read to them.? But accused pleaded ‘not guilty’ of the charge.
Only 16 charges were read, while one was struck out due to the absence of the fourth and eight accused , whom the charged was directly linked to . Their names were later struck out just .
After reading the charges, the lead lawyer to the accused, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who earlier submitted a written application for bail, had to file an oral application on behalf of his client.
At this point, Justice Marcel Awokulehin, stood down the proceedings at about 11 am till 1 pm.
When the court resumed by 2pm, it took the submission of the both lawyers but the judge ruled that the case be adjourned till today to enable the lawyers? regularise their submission and written addresses on the matter.
Justice Marcel Awokulehin later ordered that the accused should be remanded in the EFCC custody in Abuja? and adjourned the case till today.