TheCable

A state high court sitting in Jos, Plateau state capital, has adjourned the trial of Jonah Jang, former governor of the state, till October 30.

Jang is standing trial for alleged misappropriation of N6.3 billion between 2007 and 2015 when he was governor.

A 12-count charge of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds was brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Daniel Longji, a justice of the court.

The former governor was on May 24, granted bail alongside Yusuf Pam, a former government official in the state, after spending eight days in prison.

The case, which was slated for trial on Tuesday, could however not go on as the prosecution’s witnesses were “unavoidably absent in court.”

When the matter was called, Henry Ejiga, who stood in for Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to the EFCC, told the court that the prosecution had challenges in bringing the witnesses to court due to the security concerns in the state.

Ejiga asked the court for an adjournment, while hoping for the restoration of peace in the state.

Robert Clarke, Jang’s counsel, opposed the application, arguing that it was a ploy to delay the trial.

Longji, however, granted the prosecution’s prayer and adjourned till October 30.