By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – The case between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang has been adjourned to this year’s November, 24, 25 and 26 for continuation of hearing.
The matter which came up for hearing Tuesday was stalled due to the failure of the lead Prosecuting Counsel, Rotimi Jacob, SAN to appear in court.
Jang and one other, Yusuf Pam are standing trial for alleged misappropriation of funds amounting to N6.3bn.
The duo were first arraigned in 2018 as they were accused of committing the alleged offences towards the end of Jang’s tenure in 2015.
READ : Plateau state records 953 cases of cholera, 14 deaths in two months
When the case came up in Jos, a member of the prosecuting team told the court that lead Counsel, Rotimi Jacob, SAN could not attend the sitting due to cancelation of flight to Jos.
But the defending Counsel to Jang, Edward Pwajok, SAN countered that the absence of the lead prosecuting counsel was due to flight issue as he said the lead counsel had earlier sent a mobile phone text message to him that he will not be present in court today.
Similarly, the Presiding Judge, Justice Christine Dabup said she received a similar text message about 10 hours before the time of the sitting from the lead prosecuting counsel that he won’t be in court for some undisclosed reasons.
Justice Dabup stated her court has prioritized cases from EFCC and the ICPC for accelerated hearing so that justice won’t be delayed.
Meanwhile, counsel to Jang, Edward Pwajok SAN, expressed sadness that the suit against his client is being prolonged unnecessarily.
He stressed that out of the 12 witnesses brought by his client, only two have so far been cross examined, and 10 others are still awaiting cross examination.
The matter was however adjourned to the last week in November.
Pwajok who spoke with journalists shortly after the court session lamented the situation where the case has been dragged for this long saying his client’s frequent visits to court is tiring.
