Hearing on alleged N2bn fraud stalls as Jang fails to appear in court
The continuation of hearing on alleged diversion of N2bn meant for Micro and Small Medium Enterprises filed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Plateau State and Senator representing Plateau North, Jonah Jang, was on Wednesday stalled as a result of ill-health.
At the resumption of the sitting, counsel to the first accused person (Jonah Jang), Robert Clarke (SAN), told the court that his client (Jang) would not be able to come to court due to his health challenge.
“We have submitted a medical report that the first defendant won’t be able to come to court because he has High Blood Pressure and high sugar level.
“And the doctor has advised that he should at least rest for one week and that was why we sort today’s adjournment.”
According to him, the court graciously gave four days in December to enable the continuation of the trial.
In response, counsel to EFCC Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said, even though he is not pleased with the reason given by the defence counsel, he has agreed to a later date for hearing to continue.
The presiding judge, Justice Daniel Longji, adjourned the case to the 4, 5, 6 and 7 December, 2018 for continuation of hearing on the matter.
It would be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 7, 2018, preferred a 12-count fraud charge against Senator Jang, for alleged misappropriation of over N6.3billion two months to the end of his tenure as governor.
According to the charges, Jang, allegedly embezzled some special funds released to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
