By,Giwa Alex, Jos
The trial of the former governor of plateau state Jonah David Jang today at the state High Court in JOS plateau state has bee stalled by insecurity.
The former governor ,now a serving senator in the (8) assembly is facing trial boarded on money laundering, the offences he was alleged to have committed while he was governor of plateau state.
The hearing on the trial case of Senator Jonah which was slated for today 17th,July, 2018 could not hold. The counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Rotimi Jacob, represented by Barr. Ejiga said the Commission was not ready because they couldn’t make their witness available to testify.
“My Lord we tried all we could to ensure the quick dispensation of this case,as against this backdrop, we were expected to present our witness today we could not be able to transport them down to the state due to the security challenges in the state.”
Ejiga urged the court to adjoined the matter and also vacate the subsequent days which is subject to the court convenient .
In a quick reaction from the accuse counsel Robert Clark(SAN) condemned the statement of the prosecution counsel Barr Ejiga ,which he described as ” flimsy ”
Robert Clerk further said that is ironic for the government who control the security apparatus of the country in general, and the state by extension, to be complaining of insecurity when same of us without such bogus privilages came to the state unhurt.
Citing the relevant section of the constitution under section 185 of CPC, justice Longji said if a case is slated for hearing the complaint is not ready I will strike out the adjournment date .
The defense counsel ,Robert Clark said the prosecution counsel after almost two months decided to come to court and ask for another adjournment, but the reason given wasn’t satisfying ,we are law abiding citizens hoping that in the next adjoining date they may bring another adjournment trick again.
He further said ,in a criminal prosecution justice delay is Justice denied and frown at flimsy excuses by the prosecution counsel taking insecurity and threat to live as bases for adjournment unacceptable under the present regime that pride itself as fighting crime and criminality in Nigeria.
Justice Longji who said he neither “For Non Against” but on the part of justice however adjourned the case to October, 30th,31st and Nov, 1st,2018 for definite hearing.
Meanwhile, justice longji has warned senator Jonah Jang and Yusuf gyang against coming to court late in the next adjourned date.
The warning of the judge is coming against the backdrop that the former governor Jonah David Jang was 4 minutes late to the court sitting when the judge was already sitted.
