The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jang

  • Alleged N4b fraud: Jang remanded in prison

    A PLATEAU State High Court sitting in Jos has remanded former Governor Jonah Jang, in prison pending ruling in the bail application over alleged corruption and misappropriation.

    The judge, Justice Daniel Longji, gave the order after listening to the arguments and submissions of both defense and prosecution counsels.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on Monday May 7, arraigned Jang on a 12- count charge bordering on alleged corruption and misappropriation.

    Jang, who is representing Plateau North Senatorial District, is alleged to have misappropriated over N6.3 billion, two months to the end of his tenure, as governor of Plateau in 2015.

    Jang was governor between 2007 and 2015 – a period within which he allegedly misappropriated the said funds.

    The senator, who was arraigned alongside Yusuf Gyang Pam by EFCC on a 12-count charge, pleaded not guilty to the counts.

    According to the charges, Jang allegedly embezzled over N4 billion from the state coffers through Pam, a cashier in the office of the Secretary to the State Government.

    Pam was alleged to have personally enriched himself with N11 million.

    The prosecution counsel said the offences contravened Section 315 of the Penal Code.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The defence counsel, Robert Clarke, in a written application during the arraignment, prayed the court to grant his clients bail on self-recognisance as a two-time governor and a serving senator.

    He said if the bail was granted, his clients would not jump bail but would be available at all times for trial.

    But the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, urged the court to refuse the application for bail.

    He cited Section 341 (2) of the 1999 Constitution and argued that an offence which attracts an imprisonment of more than three years was not bail-able offence.

    Jacobs added that the offences alleged to have been committed by the defendants were serious and, therefore, should not be granted bail.

    He submitted that with Jang’s military background, if granted the bail, would intimidate witnesses and use his influence to scare them away.

    According to Rotimi (SAN) Sections 36(5), which provides that everybody who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proven guilty, is not in line with the law that governs the criminal prosecution against Jang and Pam.

    He said: “Any offence that exceeds three years should not be treated as ordinary and presumable for bail.”

    But after listening to arguments of both parties, Justice Longji said he would need enough time to analyse the arguments for and against the bail application in comparison with the charges.

    He, therefore, adjourned the case to May, 2018 24 for ruling on the bail application.

    He said: ‘There is a situation here where the Law becomes an axe. I have not studied the charges and I cannot use my personal knowledge of the accused person(s) to ask him to go on bail.

    “They should be remanded in prison custody pending the ruling on his bail on Thursday next week.”

  • Jang arraigned, remanded in Jos prison

    Former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, was on Wednesday arraigned at the Jos High Court for allegedly misappropriating N6.3 billion.
    Jang, who was arraigned alongside one Yusuf Gyang Pam by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 12- count charge, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
    The defence counsel,  Robert Clark (SAN), pleaded that the ex-governor be  granted bail on self recognition.
    The EFCC counsel,  Rotimi Jacob (SAN),  however objected to Jang’s application for bail, asking the court to look at the seriousness of the offence, the nature of the charge, the evidence available, the probability of the accused appearing constantly in the trial and the weight of the punishment.
    According to him,  Sections 36(5) which provides that everybody who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until he is proven guilty is not in line with the law that governs the criminal prosecution against Jang and Pam.
    He said, “Any offence that exceeds three years should not be treated as ordinary and presumable for bail.”
    But after listening to arguments from both parties,  Justice Daniel Longji said he would need  time to analyze the arguments for and against the bail application in comparison with the charges.
    He  adjourned ruling on the bail application till May 24.
    He said: ‘There is a situation here where the Law becomes an axe. I have not studied the charges and I cannot use my personal knowledge of the accused persons to ask him to go on bail.
    “They should be remanded in prison pending the ruling on his bail on Thursday next week.”

  • EFCC to arraign ex-Plateau Governor Jang today in Jos

    FORMER Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang will be arraigned today before a Jos, Plateau State High Court by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for alleged N6.3 billion fraud.

    The senator representing Plateau North, who has been held in EFCC custody since last week, will be moved by EFCC from Abuja to Jos for the arraignment.

    The Nation gathered in Jos that Jang will be arraigned before Justice Daniel Longji on the 12 counts filed against him by the EFCC.

    The EFCC had preferred 12 charges against him over an alleged fraud amounting to about N6.3 billion.

    The ex-governor allegedly embezzled some special funds released to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria. He was said to have done so two months to the end of his tenure as governor in 2015.

    A team of lawyers acting for the release of the senator had last week filed a motion on notice before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja in an attempt to enforce his release on bail.

    The team of lawyers comprising of Christopher Eichie, Yakubu Philemon and Kola Oseni prayed that the former governor be granted bail on health ground, claiming that the suspect is diabetic.

    Apart from asking for his unconditional bail, the legal team is asking the court to order the EFCC to pay Jang N500 million as damages for his detention without trial and to offer him public apology in two national newspapers.

     

     

     

  • N6.3bn fraud: Senator Jang to be arraigned by EFCC Monday

    The immediate past governor of Plateau state and senator representing Plateau North senatorial zone, Senator Jonah Jang will be arraigned before the state high court Jos by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for alleged N6.3 billion fraud.
    Senator Jang who has been held in EFCC custody since last week will be moved by EFCC from Abuja to Jos for the arraignment on Monday.
    The Nation gathered in Jos that Senator Jang will be arraigned before Justice Daniel Longji of Plateau State High Court in Jos on the 12-count charges filed against him by the EFCC.
    The EFCC had preferred 12 charges against him over an alleged fraud amounting to about N6.3bn.
    The ex-governor, who currently represents Plateau-North Senatorial District, allegedly embezzled some special funds released to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria. He was said to have done so two months to the end of his tenure as governor in 2015.
    A team of lawyers acting for the release of the senator had last week filed a motion on notice before a federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Abuja in an attempt to enforce his release on bail.
    The team of lawyers comprising of Christopher Eichie, Yakubu Philemon and Kola Oseni have prayed that the former governor be granted bail on health ground claiming that the suspect is diabetic.
    Apart from asking for his unconditional bail, the legal team is asking the federal high court to order the EFCC to pay Senator Jang the sum of N500m as damages for his detention without trial and to offer him public apology in two national newspapers.
    Meanwhile youths from the state under the aegis of the Jang Support group have confirmed to The Nation that they will protest what they term “jungle justice” of the senator. They queried why the senator was detained for 1 whole week, when he has been faithful in honouring all invitations by the EFCC.

  • N5.6b fraud allegation: ICPC quizzes Jang

    Senator Jonah Jang (Plateau North) has been quizzed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over an alleged N5.6billion fraud.

    The alleged fraud was reportedly perpetrated during his tenure as Plateau State governor between 2007 and 2015.

    In a statement on its website, the commission said it had concluded interactions with the ex-governor although investigation “continues on other strands of the matter’’. It did not give further details, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report.

    The ICPC on March 22, threatened to declare Jang wanted for allegedly ignoring its invitation.

    The ICPC, through a statement signed by its spokesperson Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa said Jang had been evasive since October 2017, when it opened investigation into alleged corruption-related activities during his tenure.

    Jang reacted through a statement by his media aide, Mr Clinton Garuba, on March 23 that there had “never been a time “the commission invited him”.

  • Jang: ICPC didn’t invite me for questioning

    Former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang has dispelled rumours of being invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses (ICPC).

    The senator, who represents Plateau North, said he was shocked to read in some newspapers that he may be declared wanted by ICPC if he continued to disregard its invitations.

    Jang, who reacted through his media aide Clinton Garuba, said he is confident of defending his administration and will not shy away if given the opportunity.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Jonah Jang, has been drawn to publications saying the ICPC declared him wanted for allegedly refusing to honour its invitations. The development came as a rude shock since there has never been a time the commission invited him.

    “Those who know the Senator would attest to his willingness, at all times, to give an account of his tenure as governor of Plateau State from 2007 to 2015.

    “As an elder statesman, who has contributed to the progress, development, unity, and longevity of Nigeria, Senator Jang has nothing to hide throughout his outstanding years of service to the people of Plateau State and Nigeria.

    “As a testament to his firm believe in the tenets of probity and accountability, the Senator is ready to visit the ICPC today, if he is properly invited.

    “Meanwhile, we have instructed our lawyers to write to protest this sort of media trial.”

  • Jang: ICPC didn’t invite me for questioning

    Former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang has dispelled rumours that he was invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

    The senator, who represents Plateau North, said he was shocked to read in some newspapers that he may be declared wanted by ICPC, if he continued to disregard its invitation.

    Jang, who reacted through his media aide, Clinton Garuba, said he would defend his administration, if given the opportunity.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Jonah Jang, has been drawn to publications saying the ICPC declared him wanted for allegedly refusing to honour its invitations. The development came as a rude shock since there has never been a time the commission invited him.

    “Those who know the senator would attest to his willingness, at all times, to give an account of his tenure as governor of Plateau State from 2007 to 2015.

    “As an elder statesman, who has contributed to the progress, development, unity, and longevity of Nigeria, Senator Jang has nothing to hide throughout his outstanding years of service to the people of Plateau State and Nigeria.

    “As a testament to his firm believe in the tenets of probity and accountability, the Senator is ready to visit the ICPC today, if he is properly invited.”

    “Meanwhile, we have instructed our lawyers to write to protest this sort of media trial.”

     

  • Jang and Nigerian youths

    Sir: Former governor of Plateau State, and now Senator of the Federal Republic, David Jonah Jang, goofed when he said on a radio show in his home state, that the “Nigerian Senate is not meant for young people”. Coming from the mouth of someone who was privileged to govern two states (Benue and Old Gongola states) as a young man, this statement is borne out of selfishness, malice, hatred and political mischief. I understand that the statement was a veiled reference to his political opponents in the PDP who are desirous of unseating him in 2019; all the same, it is still a statement in bad taste.

    It is pertinent to inform Jang that there is no provision or clause in the Nigerian constitution that precludes young people from being in the Senate. Once a man /woman attains the age of 35, is of sound mind, has never been declared bankrupt, among other statutory requirements which also apply to older Nigerians seeking political office, then he/she is good to go.

    The task of governing a state is more arduous and cumbersome than the task of representing a third of a state as a parliamentarian. If Jonah Jang could carry out that task, as governor of two states, where he is said to have performed creditably well as a young man, what makes him think that the youths of today cannot carry out the task of law-making? It is true that all over the world, the Senate is for mature people who have paid their dues. But it is also true that maturity is not a function of age. I am of the opinion that leadership is not a function of age but of character and competence. America, the number one democracy in the world, elected a 70 year old man as their President, at a time when most European countries are electing leaders in their 30’s into office. Can Jang tell us the contributions of geriatric lawmakers in the Senate other than sleeping during plenary?

    At the dawn of the Fourth Republic, we had a lot of young men and women who were members of the Senate and they performed excellently well in office. Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi was the youngest member of the Senate at the age of 37 and one of its best and brightest. Senator Anyim Pius Anyim became a senator at the age of 38 and became the Senate President at the age of 39, thus making him the youngest occupant of that seat in Nigeria’s recent history.

    We must also not fail to note that our political system is so polluted that even if all the levers of power in the country are handed over to the youths, they will be polluted by the system and fail to achieve their aims and objectives. The youths need to unite and form a critical mass to change the system both within and without. We must stop supporting and applauding “old cargoes” who only view us as expendables to deploy in their quest to attain power. Nigeria belongs to all.

     

    • Peter Ovie Akus,

    Ifo, Ogun State.

  • Jang: Senate not for young people

    Jang: Senate not for young people

    Senator Jonah Jang (Plateau North) at the weekend said the Upper Chamber is for people with pedigree and political experience.

    The Senate, he declared, is not for young people without political experience.

    Speaking in an interview programme at the weekend, Jang said the House of Representatives would be good for younger politicians.

    He spoke on the backdrop of reports that his political protégé were warming up for his seat based on insinuations he might not seek reelection at over 70.

    But the former Plateau State Governor said: “The Senate is not for good for young people, only the House of Representatives is good enough.”

  • EFCC probes Jang for Plateau’s cash

    EFCC probes Jang for Plateau’s cash

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing ex-Governor Jonah Jang following his inability to account for billions of naira belonging to the state.

    Plateau State government, in a petition to the EFCC, said it discovered financial discrepancies after studying the handover notes left by Jang.

    A source said: “Under Jonah Jang as governor of Plateau State, N2 billion was released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for Small and Medium Scale (SME) businesses in Plateau State. The N2 billion was released to Jang in April 2015, a month before the expiration of his administration. The money disappeared. And there’s no trace or evidence that SMEs in Plateau State benefited from the CBN fund meant.

    “The administration of former Governor Jonah Jang got N6.1 billion from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    “Jang collected N982, 526451.02 from the Plateau State government using a front company, Darmatist Consult, for a purported, non-existent recovery of N7.56 billion from Nasarawa State. The money was paid to Darmatist as a consultancy fee.

    “Under Jang, millions of naira was debited monthly from the accounts of the 17 local governments in Plateau State. Jang claimed the debited funds will be used to construct a five kilometre road in each of the 17 councils. But most of the roads were never constructed. Just a few councils in Jang’s Plateau North benefited from this scheme but the funds disappeared from the state accounts before the emergence of the Simon Lalong administration.”

    The source added: “Questions are also being raised on how SURE-P funds were disbursed by the Jang administration. As a matter of fact, Jang, in his handover notes, did not provide the information on how much was released, how much was received and what the funds were used for.

    “Also being investigated by the crimes commission is the suspicious double award of the computerisation of the Ministry of Finance to a Nix Technologies for N97,925,000 by the ministry. Nix Technologies is believed to be a front company, and the contract was awarded twice, and the money paid twice to them for same contract.”