Justice Christy Dabup has discharged and acquitted a former Plateau Governor Senator Jonah Jang and former cashier to the Office of Secretary to Plateau State Government Yusuf Pam of alleged N6.2bn preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Dabup ruled the EFCC can’t proof the case of misappropriation, diversion and public funds against the accused.
The court quashed all the 17-count charge levelled against the former Governor and the former cashier, declaring the case lacks merit while acquitting the suspects of the charges .
They have been facing trial for alleged criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of Plateau State funds to the tune of N6.2 billion.
The Court ruled the EFCC couldn’t prove the burden or establish beyond reasonable doubt allegations of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10&17 count charge levlled against the former Governor and the cashier.
It said it can’t secure any conviction brought by the prosecution under section 135 subsection 1&2 of 2011 which is in line with the 1999 Constitution amended .
Beside EFCC presented fourteenth witness (PW14), a Chief Superintendent of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Commission (ICPC), Taiwo Oloronyomi, who testified against the defendants.
. The crux of the statement pertained to the withdrawal of monies through cheques approved by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State government, which was taken to the first defendant (Jang).
The court said it didn’t find substantive proof of evidence showing that the accused personally siphon or divert such monies .
The defendants counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and S. Oyewole applauded the court the delivery of judgment the evidence of the EFCC the court can’t proof to them and the court is been mindful of the charges .
