EFCC closes N6.3bn fraud case against ex-Gov Jang

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has closed its case against a former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, and a former cashier in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (OSSG), Yusuf Pam, before Justice C. L. Dabup of Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, the case was closed on Tuesday after EFCC presented 14 witnesses and tendered several exhibits before the court.

Jang and Pam are facing trial for alleged criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of Plateau State funds to the tune of N6.3 billion.

At the last sitting, the anti-graft agency had presented its 14 witness, a Chief Superintendent of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Commission (ICPC), Taiwo Oloronyomi, who testified against the defendants.

However, the second defendant’s counsel, S. Olawale, while tendering the statement in evidence, raised objection, arguing that the statement of his client to the ICPC was not voluntary as he was subjected to physical and psychological torture by one Hajiya Fatima Mohammed of the ICPC, prompting the court to order a trial within the trial.

Ruling on the trial within trial on Tuesday, Justice Dabup admitted in evidence the statement which the second defendant made on November 17, 2016 to the ICPC.

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The crux of the statement pertained to the withdrawal of monies through  cheques approved by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State government, which was taken to  the first defendant (Jang).

The judge, however, rejected the statement made on November 23, 2016, saying the mandatory cautionary word was not taken before the second defendant volunteered to write his statement.

The defendants, who were expected to open their defence on  June 1, 2022, after the prosecution closed its case, however, failed to do so.

Speaking on the development, their counsel, Mike Ozekhome SAN and S. Olewale informed the court of their decision, saying: “We humbly intend to rely on the case of the prosecution because we believe and submit it is irredeemable, battered and drained of existential blood.

“We do not need to open any case for evidence in order not to waste the precious time of this honourable court.”

Citing section 301(3) of the Plateau State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2018, he explained that: “If we are not providing any evidence, the law says that the prosecution has fourteen (14) days to address the court, and ten( 10) days for the defence to reply, and another five (5 days)  for the prosecution to reply on point of law.”

The presiding judge, Justice Dabup, therefore, adjourned the matter to July 1, 2022, for adoption of final written addresses.

The Star