SAN FRANCISCO, May 16, (THEWILL) – The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has withdrawn the charges filed against a former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah David Jang, saying it was to avoid abuse of court processes.
Jang, now senator 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 (EFCC) in Abuja, following their arrest over alleged misuse of funds.
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 because the EFCC had slammed Jang with a 12 count charge on alleged fraud.
“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.”
