The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has stated that it has initiated processes to appeal the acquittal of a former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang.
The EFCC made this known In a press statement posted on the Commission’s verified Twitter handle and signed by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity.
Recall that Justice Christy L. Dabup of the Plateau State High Court in Jos discharged and acquitted the ex-governor.
Also cleared was a former cashier in the Secretary to the State Government’s office, Yusuf Pam.
Both faced 17-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of Plateau State funds to the tune of N6.3billion.
Dabup said the EFCC failed to provide evidence to prove the allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of N4.3billion SUBEB fund and N2billion MSMEs fund.
A terse statement by anti-graft commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said processes for an appeal have been initiated.
“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to the Friday, September 2, 2022 judgment of Justice C. L. Dabup of the Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos, discharging and acquitting a former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah David Jang and a former cashier in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, OSSG, Yusuf Pam, of the seventeen-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of Plateau State funds to the tune of N6.3 billion.
“The Commission has initiated processes for an Appeal immediately,” The statement reads.
Justice Dalup adjourned the case for verdict in mid-July after the adoption of final written addresses by the prosecution and defence counsels.
Jang and Pam had on arraignment on May 16, 2018 pleaded “not guilty”, necessitating a full-blown trial.
