Justice C.L Dabup of the Plateau State High Court in Jos has adjourned the ongoing trial of a former Plateau State Governor , Senator Jonah David Jang and a former cashier in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (OSSG), Yusuf Pam, for judgment.
The judge made the pronouncement on Thursday after the adoption of final written addresses by both the prosecuting Economic and Financial Crimes Commssion (EFCC) and and the lawyer to Jang.
Ex-Governor Jang and Pam are facing trial for alleged criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of Plateau State funds to the tune of N6.3 billion.
When the matter came up on Thursday, lawyer to Jang, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), adopted his final written address and urged the court to discharge and acquit his client.
Ozekhome, who also informed the court that his client pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him, saying that the case lacked merit and that the prosecution did not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Speaking in the same vein, lawyer to Yusuf Pam , S.G. Odey, while adopting his final written address, urged the court to discharge and acquit his client on all charges levelled against him.
But the prosecuting EFCC lawyer, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to consider the evidence of the 14 witnesses before it, especially the evidence of Prosecution Witness 5, PW5, which supported the confessional statement of Yusuf Pam.
Jacobs also submitted that the required proof is not “proof beyond all shadow of doubt”.
The Senior Advocate further informed the court of two pending motions seeking leave to appeal the two rulings on trial within trial, and urged the court to allow adoption of the two pending motions.
Ozekhome did not object to the two applications but Odey indicated his intention to oppose the applications.
The court thereafter directed that the final addresses shouls be adopted by the parties.
Jacobs thereafter adopted his written address and urged the court to convict ex-Governor Jang and Yusuf Pam and second defendants.
On the other hand, Ozekhome adopted his written address and prayed the court to discharge and acquit his client.
Odey also adopted his written address and urged the court to discharge and acquit Pam.
Justice Dabup thereafter informed the lawyers that the High Court of Plateau State will be going on vacation while the lawyers consented that the judge could deliver judgment in the matter during vacation period.
The judge consequently adjourned the case for judgment, saying that the date for the verdict will be communicated to the parties.
