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

More than two months after dragging former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, to court over alleged fraud of N6 billion, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday failed to bring witnesses to testify in the case.

The anti-graft agency had on May 7, preferred a 12-count charge bordering on alleged corruption and misappropriation against Jang.

The commission accused Jang, who governed Plateau State between 2007 and 2015, of misappropriating N6 billion two months to the end of his tenure as governor.

Earlier on May 24, the court had sat on the matter and adjourned it to July 17, 18 and 19 for definite and accelerated hearing.

However, when the matter came up again on Tuesday before Justice Daniel Longji of Plateau High Court IV, counsel to the EFCC, Henry Ejiga, said that the commission failed to bring the witnesses “due to the security situation in Plateau.”

He therefore asked the court to adjourn the matter to another date to enable him bring the witnesses to court.

His position was countered by Jang’s counsel, Robert Clarke (SAN), who argued that criminal trials were expected to be “fast and speedy”, because justice delayed remains justice denied.

“The reason given by the prosecution is very surprising. Security cannot be a good reason for not bringing the witnesses.

“If people like us that do not have security guards can come all the way from Lagos without problems, then it is wrong for the EFCC to use security as an excuse not to bring the witnesses to court.

“EFCC has the control of arms and ammunition; they say the red eagle will always catch up with you, how comes the eagle has stopped flying?

“It is appalling that the custodian of security is afraid of coming to court because of security issues. The court should not accept this flimsy excuse.

“We should have an affirmation statement by the prosecution that they would be ready at the next adjourned date,” Clarke said.

In his reply, the prosecuting counsel said that the EFCC was not the Ministry of Defence and that its personnel were vulnerable like any other Nigerian.

He added, “We have good reasons to be afraid and careful because there were instances where witnesses have been gunned down while being conveyed to courts.”

Justice Longji in his ruling, frowned at the excuse tendered by the EFCC, noting that the court was a serious one and should not be taken for granted.

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According to the trial judge, Section 165 of the Criminal Procedure Code gives the court the discretion of striking out a matter if it is stalled or the complainant is absent.

Saying that the counsel to the defendant had not prayed the court to strike out the matter, the judge said he would not on his on do that.

He then adjourned the matter to October 30, 31 and November 1, for definite continuation of hearing.

 

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