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EFCC stalls Senator Jang’s arraignment in Jos Court

By Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos
15 May 2018   |   4:17 am
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday stalled the arraignment of former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang in the Jos High Court.

Jonah David Jang

‘APC’s desperation responsible for his continued detention’
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday stalled the arraignment of former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang in the Jos High Court.

Counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court when the matter was mentioned that the case could not continue because his client (the EFCC) could not arraign Jang for logistics reasons.

He, therefore, filed an exparte application to adjourn the case till tomorrow when Jang would be in court.

When the case was mentioned by the clerk of the court, the people for exparte application were not ready, which made the judge, Justice Daniel Longji, to inform the court that they should give the benefit of doubt for sometime.

Lead counsel to Jang, Robert Clarke (SAN), announced the harem of lawyers he came with but after mentioning five lawyers, Longji intervened and told him that he was taking a cue from the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) who said no more than five lawyers after the lead counsel should be entertained.

But Clarke told the judge that it would be unfair if he agreed with the CJN, while the Judge said he agreed with him and the case continued, mentioning all 10 lawyers in his retinue.

He told the judge that he was appealing for the first and second defendants but the judge told him that they are all accused persons and that the word defendants should not be used as the Northern Nigerian penal code had it.

He further told the court that he was shocked by the exparte application that he met, revealing that he had put in 50 years of legal practice, adding that he took the first flight to Abuja and Jos only to meet the disappointing application.

Responding, Jacobs said he had filed an application for leave to file a charge against Jang and his Cashier, which was heard yesterday where a day was fixed for the arraignment and hearing of the bail application.

Meanwhile, Media Consultant to Jang, Clinton Garuba, has condemned the desperation of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government with regard to Jang’s continued detention.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Garuba expressed concerns over the desperation of the APC government as it relates to Jang’s continued and unlawful detention by the EFCC.

“On Monday, May 7, 2018, the EFCC detained Jang after honouring their invitation in Abuja. He had since been kept in their custody in flagrant disregard of the constitution and abuse of his fundamental human rights as a law abiding citizen, especially when he has never failed to honour their invitations,” he stated.

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