The trial of a former governor of Plateau State Jonah Jang could not continue today October 31, 2018 due to his inability to appear in court.

Jang is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Daniel Longji of the Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos on a 12 – count charge bordering on misappropriation of state funds to the tune of N6.3billion.

The serving senator, allegedly embezzled special funds released to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria, two months to the end of his tenure as governor in 2015.

Specifically, Jang allegedly pocketed N2billion released by the CBN for disbursement to small and medium enterprises in the State under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Funds, MSMEDF, just a month before the expiration of his tenure in April 2015.

He is also said to have abused his office as governor by collecting money to the tune of N4.3billion from the state coffers through the cashier of the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Yusuf Gyang Pam.

Jang was docked alongside Pam, who was also accused of using his office for personal enrichment to the tune of N11.5million.

At the resumed trail today defense counsel Robert Clarke, SAN, asked for an adjournment to enable his client receive  medical attention.

 “my lord my client was rushed to the Hospital this morning for high blood pressure and high sugar level.

“I had a brief discussion with the medical director of the hospital who told me that my client needs a rest for at least three days to enable him recover properly.

“We are sorry for his inability to be in court”. Clarke said . He added that he had a medical reports buttress his claims..

EFCC counsel, ,Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, opposed the motion for adjournment, arguing that, “the medical report was issued by a private hospital and today.

"There was nothing to prove in the medical report that he was rushed to the hospital".

Further said “the hospital only asked him to rest and will not stop him to stand his trial” Rotimi stated.

After listening to the argument of counsel, Justice longji adjourned to December 4, 2018 for continuation of trial.

                                                 

Media and Publicity

31 October, 2018