Goka Arraigned Over Alleged ₦5 Million Scam: Ex-Foreign Affairs Official In Legal Trouble

Goka, who previously served as Head of the Department of Research Monitoring Information System at the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa, appeared before Justice J.A. Aina at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kwali, Abuja. She faces five counts related to the misappropriation of funds and submitting false statements.

According to ICPC spokesperson Ademola Bakare, Goka is accused of misappropriating ₦5,164,656 intended for a failed management retreat that was scheduled to take place in Dutse, Jigawa State, in 2017. Bakare emphasized that her actions violated Section 25(1)(a) and are punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

One of the charges states that Goka, while serving as Deputy Director and Head of the Department of Research Monitoring Information System at the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, used ₦5,164,656 from the ₦5,398,656 allocated for the botched 2017 retreat, which is considered a corrupt advantage under the law.

Another charge accuses Goka of making a false statement on February 18, 2022, to an ICPC officer, Sado Danjuma, during an investigation. She allegedly claimed that the return of ₦1,000,000 by Bassey Ikpeme on the instruction of the late Director General of DTCA, Ambassador Abduljalil Suleiman, never happened.

During the trial, which began on March 27, 2025, the prosecution, led by David Nwaze, presented two witnesses who testified and were cross-examined. The court granted Goka bail under the same conditions as her administrative bail, requiring her to provide a surety employed at Grade Level 15 or above in Nigeria, residing in Abuja. The surety must submit documents proving their employment status and identity.

Justice J.A. Aina adjourned the case for further proceedings.