Alleged fraud: ICPC withdraws charges against Jang
Jang, representing Plateau-North Senatorial District in the
National Assembly, and a cashier, Yusuf Gyang Pam, had been in the
custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja,
following their arrest over alleged misuse of funds.
While the commission had slammed Jang with a 12 count charge on
alleged fraud, the ICPC had also filed a similar charge against him.
But the Assistant Director in ICPC, Adesina
Raheem, on Wednesday, moved an application before Justice Daniel Longji
of Plateau State High Court in Jos, for the withdrawal of the charges.
He said, “My Lord, we got an information that EFCC has filed a
criminal charge against the defendant. We had a discussion with the EFCC
and it was resolved that we should withdraw our own charge to avoid
abuse of court processes. I will humbly seek the leave of the court to
withdraw the charge. That is my application.”
Delivering his ruling, Justice Longji, struck out the charges,
saying “the prosecution has the right to withdraw the application, the
case is hereby struck out.”
Lawyer to Jang, Robert Clarke (SAN), had on Monday, said that the ICPC’s case was not ripe for hearing.
He had expressed optimism that the ICPC may withdraw the charges
because the same court can’t entertain same charges from both EFCC and
ICPC.
Clarke said, “The ICPC case has not ripened for hearing by this
court. I am aware that you cannot maintain a charge by ICPC on the same
charge in same court. Let us see what happen, I have an inkling that
they may withdraw the charges.” – Punch
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