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N6.3BN FRAUD: Tell EFCC to free me, I’m diabetic, ex-Gov Jang pleads

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N6BN FRAUD: EFCC fails to present witnesses against ex-Gov Jang

Former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, has alerted that he is suffering from diabetes and wants to be freed from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He made the plea in a motion on notice filed before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, following his arrest and detention by the anti-graft agency over alleged fraud of N6.3 billion.

The former governor and current senator filed the motion barely 72 hours after he was arrest by the commission over the alleged offense.

His team of lawyers led by Christopher Eichie, Yakubu Philemon, and Kola Oseni, in the motion argued that the EFCC’s continued detention of the senator has prevented him from getting medical attention; a development they claimed has made his “blood sugar control to be in a bad state.”

At press conference jointly addressed by Jang’s media consultant, Clinton Garuba, and another member

Dusu, who said that had filed an action at the Plateau State High Court in Jos to press for former governor’s bail said, “Jang was told by the EFCC operatives that he would see the EFCC chairman (Ibrahim Magu); but as soon as he got to the Tunde Idiagbon Block in the commission, he was told he couldn’t go home and that has been the case. He has been kept in the EFCC custody since Monday and has not been charged to court.

“Ironically, both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other-related offences Commission are charging him with the same issue. We are seeing some political intimidation. We are not in a banana republic where anything can happen. They have kept him for 72 hours, the EFCC is holding him unconstitutionally. We are appealing to Nigerians to mount pressure on the EFCC to release Jang.”

This came as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had also called on the EFCC to grant Jang bail due to his health condition and the fact that he is denied access to his lawyers, family and medication.

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The chairman of the party who spoke to newsmen in Jos, Plateau State capital, Damishi Sango, said, “As a sitting senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Jonah David Jang who is presently in the custody of the EFCC has been denied bail. This, we consider as a gross violation of his fundamental human rights as provided under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In making the appeal for the release of Senator Jang, we are mindful of his health condition and the fact that he is being denied access to his lawyers, family and medication.”

The party added, “Jang is under threat because of his presidential ambition. If anybody wants to be president, the present government will hold and twist the person’s neck. They think that Jang has large supporters in Plateau State and that if allowed, his popularity might jeopardise their chances in the 2019 election. But the people of Plateau State have taken a decision to sack the APC in 2019.”

 

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