Senator Jonah David Jang
The trial of former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, yesterday continued with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting more witnesses against him and Yusuf Gyang Pam, a cashier in the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the Acting Spokesperson of the EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, they were being prosecuted on a 12-count charge bordering on misappropriation of state funds to the tune of N6.3 billion.
Testifying as a prosecution witness, Tapchi Yakubu Tashok, a member of staff in Zenith Bank Plc Jos main branch, while being led in evidence by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), admitted to knowing Pam.
She said: “I know the second defendant as the cashier of the cabinet office, and he is the one that always comes to the bank for huge withdrawals, and when he comes, they will confirm the tendered cheques while they proceed to process his payment.
Under cross-examination by Mike Ozekhome (SAN), counsel for Jang, she told the court that she never had any dealings with the first defendant, and had never seen him during any such withdrawal from her branch.
Also, a witness, Boyi Sauki Kiakau, the accountant-general during the tenure of Jang, while being led in evidence by Jacobs, said the manager of Zenith Bank Plc told him about the credit of N2 billion, and demanded that he provides the account details that has been opened for the said money.
Jacobs further asked the witness if he had anything to do with the state’s Universal Basic Education Board.
In response, he said: “There was an approval from the governor requesting to borrow N900 million from the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), and the said borrowing was to pay pending approvals.
Another prosecution witness, Habila Dung, while explaining the role he played and efforts he put in regarding the said N2 billion meant for the scheme aimed for the development of Microfinance Banks in the state, and how they were diverted for other purposes under Jang’s administration, told the court about a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Plateau State Government and the CBN, adding that a request of N2 billion was made by the state government, which was to be remitted into the Plateau State Government Project One account.
The case has been adjourned to April 9 and 10, 2019 for “continuation of hearing”.
