Alleged N6.3billion Fraud: Court Case Between EFCC And Jang Adjourned To November 2021

Yakubu Busari

The hearing in the case between the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and former governor of Plateau State Jonah David Jang could not continue on Tuesday due to the absence of Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

It would be recalled that Jang and Yusuf Pam are standing trial on a 12-count charge of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N6.3billion.

Jang and Pam were first arraigned in June 2018, on 17 counts of charges bothering on Misappropriation of funds, criminal breach of trust, and corrupt advantages.

The trial commenced Denovo at High Court 4 presided over by His Lordship, Justice Christine Dabup after the retirement of former trial Judge, (Justice Daniel Longji) from service on December 31, 2019.

However, Justice Longji before his retirement ruled and dismissed the “No case submission” entered by the defendants (after the Prosecution closed their case) and held that the defendants have a case to answer.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday before Justice Dabup, EFCC’s Counsel, Barr S.E .Okene representing Barr Rotimi Jacob, SAN, Justice S. E Okene told the court that the cancellation of a flight from Lagos to Jos was the reason for the absence of the lead counsel for the Prosecution Rotimi Jacobs SAN in court for continuation of the hearing of the matter. Consequently, he made an oral application for an adjournment.

He said; “we sincerely sorry on the side of the prosecution, we apologize why the matter for the continuation of hearing can’t proceed today.

Okene said; “with sincere purpose, I never appear before my Lord on this matter, but coming to speak from the background, so we extend our apology to the court and to the defense counsels in this matter.

In granting us this application,  we shall be asking for two days to enable us to proceed with sincerity to assemble all our remaining witnesses.

Counsel to the first accused person, Barr Edward .G. Pwajok told the court that they don’t have to oppose the application because it is their own application.

Justice Christy Dabup adjourned the case to the 24th,25th, and 26th of November,2021 for the continuation of the hearing.