The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained that the agency quit the N25 billion fraud case of former governor of Gombe state, Danjuma Goje because the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation demanded it.
The EFCC added that the AGF’s office has the constitutional power to take over a case at any stage of investigation.
Tony Orilade, the spokesman of EFCC, said this to clarify the withdrawal from the eight-year-old case on Friday, which has generated outcry from political circles and the social media.
Recall that Goje was a contender for the position of the senate president until his withdrawal for after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.
When the case came up for an emergency hearing on Friday, Wahab Shittu, EFCC counsel, told the court that the agency was withdrawing from the case and handing it over to the office of the attorney-general.
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“My Lord, this case was earlier adjourned for June 20 for the continuation of hearing, but then we are here today on the latest development on the matter,” he had said.
“We as EFCC counsels are withdrawing from the matter and handing it over to the office of the attorney-general for continuation with the prosecution.”
Defending the action, Orilade said, “By virtue of the existing law, the office of the attorney- general of the federation has the power to take over any criminal case at any stage,” he told NAN.
“And that is exactly what has happened.”