Yakubu Busari
Justice Christy L.Dabup of High Court No2 of Plateau State on Thursday has adjourned for judgment on the suit filed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria against the Former Governor David Jonah Jang and the cahier in the office of SSG ,Mr Yusuf Pam .
The matter which came up for adoption of final written addresses for both counsels to close their case ,a mild drama eschew between the prosecution counsel ,Rotimi Jacob ,SAN,and the counsel to the first defendant ,Chief Mike Ozekhome,SAN, over a fresh motion brought by the prosecution.
The prosecution counsel told the court that the matter was adjourned for adoption of final written addresses he want to file notice of appealing the ruling on trial within trial so urging the court to allow him move his two applications which is dated the 8th day of July, 2022.
He sought the court order to grant him the prayers which is supported with affidavit and a written address for his appeal .However, Chief Mike Ozekhome in a swift reaction said they’re not opposing the motion because it doesn’t have any effect to their argument .
However, the counsel to the second defendant ,Barr.Sunday Odey raised complained that they’re served with two motions which is targeted at their client ,Mr Yusuf Pam but the business of the day was for adoption of final written addresses and he is taking a twist .
When they finally resort to move and adopt their final written addresses which the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob said he will take 5 minutes each to response to their adumbrate which that shall be done after the counsels to the accused persons completed their adoption .
And Jacob argued vehemently that it is his right to reply them all on point of laws ,and he proceeded to adopt his motion dated 8-7-2022 .of pages 161 and 167 of 13 paragraphs urging the court by seeking the leaf to reply after the adoption on right .
The two legal gladators Chief Mike Ozehomie and Rotimi Jacob clashed over allotted time , when Jacob was addressing the court saying that it’s my right to be allow but Mike Ozekhome slammed back on top of his voice that that has been the attitude of the prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacob trick to intimidate and harassed judges .
As a result of the development the court proceedings became rowdy with action of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, exposing and blasting each others of records of practice and years of called to bar .
The trial of Former Governor Jonah David Jang by Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over money laundering amounting to 6.3billion naira meant for Small medium and Micro finance Enterprises which was earmarked for small business operators in the state that Jang allegedly siphon and misappropriated when he held sway as governor from 2007-15.
When the court resumed sitting , the counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacob told the court that he is having to motion he hopes to move, subject to the court convenience of my lordship .
Initially Chief Mike Ozehomie counsel to the 1st defendant Jonah Jang didn’t oppose the motion,but in quick reaction the 2nd defendant Yusuf Pam represent by barrister G. S Odey vehemently opposed the motion on the ground that the court was adjourned till today for adoption of final written address by Parties, that the application for motion by the prosecuting Counsel Rotimi Jacob go contrary to the last adjournment for adoption of final written address.
After argument it was however resolved by the court that the proposed motion of the prosecuting counsel should not be allowed to stall the day sitting which is earmarked for the adoption of final written addresses by Parties.
More so, the court added that the prosecutor still have the ample time after the judgement to try his motion at the court of appeal.
On adoption of final written address, Chief Mike Ozehomie (SAN)seek the leave of the court to allocate some few minutes to each Parties subject to the over riding convince of the court to breathe live into the adopted final written address.
The proposal which the judge , Justice Christy Dabup approved, and five minutes each given to Parties to adumbrate.
In his quick reaction the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacob seek the leave of the court to be give him opportunity to adopt last and been given opportunity to respond to the issues that might have raised by 1th and 2nd defendants in there separate adoptions.
At this stage Mike Ozehomie SAN, disagreed with no his proposal and adviced him to complied with the court decision, but the prosecuting counsel was at this point speaking and shouting on top of his voice as all efforts to call him to order proved abortive.
At this point the Justice Christy Dabup abandoned the court and went into his inner chamber , while the court sitting was temporary brought to a close.
After five to ten minutes, the judge resumed sitting while the two legal gladiators apologize to the court for allowing their emotions to over ride the self-control, Justice Dabup accepted their sincere apology.
In his adoption of final written address, the 1st defendant who is the former Governor of the state, Jonah David Jang told the court to discharge and acquit him from all the charges brought against him by prosecution because they lack base.
The 1st defendant which file his writing address on the 10th June,2022 represented his counsel Mike Ozehomie SAN said the for governor of the state did his best almost best during his administration with development project around the state for every citizens of the state to see that.
Ozehomie said it is very important to discharge the accused 1st defendant considering his enormious achievement as the first citizens of the state and senator of federal republic of Nigeria in the 8th Assembly and he should be given more awards by the state and federal government for his developmental during his administration.
The counsel to the 1st defendant said despite not more than 30 pages of final written address approved by this honorable court the prosecuting counsel come up with almost 200 pages of final written address, a ploy he said to rope the 1st defendant in the case that was not earlier formulated by them which has woofully failed.
Ozehomie reiterated the need for the 1st defendant to be discharge and acquitted.
In another similar development the 2nd defendant standing trial along with the 1st defendant who was a cashier in the governor office during the administration of the 1st defendant Yusuf Pam asked the court to discharge and acquit him from all the charges leveled against him by the prosecuting counsel.
Speaking through his counsel S.Oyawole Mr Pam said all the money they alleged he launder.
