Yakubu Busari
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today failed to arraign Senator Jonah Jang, a former Plateau Governor who is in their custody. According to the commission, it said it failed to arraign the former Military Administrator due to some logistic issues, which it conveyed to the State High Court.
It would be recalled that the Plateau People Democratic Party stalwarts had stormed the Plateau State High Court in solidarity to former Jonah David Jang but were disappointed as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), failed to arraign Senator Jonah Jang, over some logistic issues.
This was made known by the Counsel to the EFCC, Barrister Rotimi Jacob SAN, who presented an ex parte motion at the Monday’s proceedings at the State High Court in Jos, presided by Justice Daniel Longji.
In his ex parte motion dated 4th April 2018, the Counsel to EFCC sought the court to grant him audience to present the charges against Senator Jang, and Mr. James Simon, being the accused before the honourable Court, citing sections 116 and 118 I’d the criminal act.
He urged the court to consider the ex parte motion seeking to present four evidence, and copies of exhibits to be presented before the Court.
He sought the court to grant him the application.
However, defense counsel Barrister, Robert Clarke (SAN), said it was unfortunate for him to travel all the way from Lagos to Jos, but only to be told that the accused persons could not be arraigned before the Court.
He said it was shocking that until this moment the EFCC could not serve them with the alleged charges prepared before the Court, adding that; “the EFCC has jettisoned the laws.”
He further argued that the application was out of the point of law.
After listening to the issues justice Daniel Longji, ruled that the application filed by the plaintiff was in accordance with the State law.
He adjourned the matter to the Wednesday 16 May 2018 for the arraignment of the accused and for hearing of their application for bail.
