The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC says it is not ready yet to continue with the trial of the former Governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang on Alleged N6.3bn fraud.
Senator Jang, who was Governor between 2007 and 2015, is being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency alongside Yusuf Pam, a former cashier in the office of the Secretary to the State Government on 17-count charge and both pleaded not guilty to the offences bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public fund which they allegedly committed towards the end of the ex-governors tenure in 2015.
Jang and Pam were first arraigned before Justice Daniel Longji in March 2018, but the matter was later reassigned to a new judge, Justice Christy Dabub after Longji retired in December 2019.
With the reassignment of the case to a new judge which prompted a fresh trial, the EFCC which had earlier closed its case was billed to start calling for another round of witnesses to testify in the case on 29th and 30th July 2020, being the last adjourned dates.
At the resumed trial on Wednesday, counsel to EFCC, Oluwatosin Mese announced his appearance but informed the court that the anti-graft agency was not prepared to proceed with the case yet.
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He blamed the stalled trial on “skeletal” airline operations which he said made it impossible for the Lead EFCC Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN to fly into the state to continue with the matter and pleaded that the matter be adjourned.
Counsel to Senator Jang, Edward Pwajok, SAN and the Counsel to the second defendant, S. Oyawole did not object to EFCC’s pleas for the case to be adjourned.
Justice Christy Dabub thereafter, adjourned the case till 4th and 5th November, 2020.
(Editor Paul Akhagbemhe)
