Plateau Ex-Speaker, 7 Legislators Case, Court Adjourns To 31st January For Adoption Of Written Address

Yakubu Busari

Justice C.L  Dabup has adjourned to the 31st January 2022 for the adoption of final written addresses on the   Former Plateau Speaker, 7 ex-Legislators to Court for Alleged Corruption charge of overhead cost meant for staff of the house sometimes in 2011.

Testifying before the honourable court, the former Speaker,Rt Hon .Istifanus Mwansat as PW5 told the court that he is not guilty of the new amended charge moved . The fresh charge on the amended wherein alleged N4 .4 million parts of money released in February & May 2011.

Count Seven of the amended charges alleged that Hon Istisfanus Mwansat conferred corruption on himself by diverting the sum of N4.4 million overhead cost and it stated thus that you Mwansat denied not collecting the money.

However,  former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly (PSHA), Honourable Istifanus Mwanswat, and seven other former legislators are standing trial of money laundering act of 2011.

The 8 members were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Christy Ladi Dabup of Plateau State High Court 3, Jos for alleged conspiracy and abuse of office.

The PW7 , Hon Dr Michael Jibrin alleged diversion of public funds which directed by Hon Istifanus Mwansat through overhead cost committed an offense contrary to the act and is punishable, as he pleaded not guilty.

The PW9 ,Rt .Hon John Clark Dabwan under count 11 of the old charge alleged that Hon Istifanus Mwansat directed him to disburse the sum of N4.4 million of the overhead cost, sometimes in 2011 and punishable by section 11& 19 of ICPC act of corrupt practice.

The following Ex-Members standing trial  over alleged diversion of public funds directed by Hon Istifanus Mwansat, are Hon Joel Lamur,Joel Dawam ,Hon Joyce Ramnap ,Rt.Hon. John Clark Dabwan ,Rt Hon.Emmanuel Goar.