The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a former Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Christiana Goka, over allegations of misappropriating N5,398,656 in public funds.
Mrs. Goka, who previously headed the Department of Research Monitoring Information System at the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), was brought before Justice J.A. Aina of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kwali, Abuja, on a five-count charge.
The charges include misappropriation of funds and providing false statements.
According to the ICPC, Mrs. Goka allegedly diverted N5,164,656 from funds meant for a management retreat that was supposed to take place in Dutse, Jigawa State, in 2017 but was never held.
Additionally, she is accused of making false statements to the ICPC investigators, regarding the receipt of N1 million in cash, purportedly acting on the instruction of the then Director General of the DTCA, the late Ambassador Abduljalil Suleiman.
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At the court session on March 27, 2025, the prosecution led by David Nwaze, called two witnesses who testified and were cross-examined.
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against her.
Justice Aina granted the defendant bail under the same conditions as her administrative bail, requiring a surety on Grade Level 15 or above, and residing in Abuja.
The surety must provide proof of employment, promotion records, an identity card, and a passport photograph.
The case was adjourned to a later date for further proceedings.
