From Yakubu Busari, Jos
Justice Christy L.Dabup of High Court No.2 of Plateau State on Thursday adjourned for judgment on the suit filed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria against former Governor David Jonah Jang and the cashier in the office of Secretary to the State Government, Mr Yusuf Pam.
The matter which came up for adoption of final written addresses for both counsels to close their case was almost marred by a mild drama which occurred between the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob, SAN, and the counsel to the first defendant ,Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, over a fresh motion brought by the prosecution.
The prosecution counsel had told the court that while the matter was adjourned for adoption of final written addresses he wanted to file a notice to appeal the ruling on trial within trial and so he urged the court to allow him move his two applications which was dated the 8th day of July, 2022.
He sought the court order to grant him the prayers which was supported with affidavit and a written address for his appeal.
Chief Mike Ozekhome in a swift reaction said they were not opposing the motion because it doesn’t have any effect to their argument .
However, the counsel to the second defendant, Barr.Sunday Odey raised a complaint that though they’re served with two motions which he said was targeted at their client, Mr Yusuf Pam, “but the business of the day was for adoption of final written addresses and that had taking a twist.”
When the two defense counsels finally resolved to move and adopt their final written addresses, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob said he will take five minutes each to respond to the defendants positions.
Jacob argued vehemently that it was his right to reply them all on point of laws ,and he proceeded to adopt his motion dated 8 July 2022, contained in pages 161 and 167 of 13 paragraphs, urging the court by seeking the leave to reply after the adoption on right .
The two legal gladiators, Chief Mike Ozehomie and Rotimi Jacob clashed over allotted time. When Jacob was addressing the court, saying that it was his right to be allowed and heard, Mike Ozekhome slammed back on top of his voice that that has been the attitude of the prosecution counsel, Jacob’s trick to intimidate and harassed judges .
As a result of the development the court proceedings became rowdy with action of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, exposing and blasting each others over records of practice and years of being called to bar .
The trial of former Governor Jonah David Jang by Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over money laundering amounting to 6.3billion naira meant which was earmarked for small business operators in the state. Jang allegedly siphoned and misappropriated the fund when he held sway as governor from 2007-15.
When the court resumed sitting , the counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacob told the court that he was having two motions to move, subject to the convenience of ‘my lordship.’
Initially, Chief Mike Ozehomie counsel to the 1st defendant Jonah Jang didn’t oppose the motion, but in quick reaction the 2nd defendant Yusuf Pam represent by barrister G. S Odey, vehemently opposed the motion on the ground that the court was adjourned till Thursday for adoption of final written address by parties. He said that the application for motion by the prosecuting Counsel Rotimi Jacob go contrary to the last adjournment for adoption of final written address.
After argument, it was however resolved by the court that the proposed motion of the prosecuting counsel should not be allowed to stall the day’s sitting which was earmarked for the adoption of final written addresses by parties.
More so, the court added that the prosecutor still have the ample time after the judgement to try his motion at the court of appeal. On adoption of final written address, Chief Mike Ozehomie (SAN) sought the leave of the court to allocate some few minutes to each parties subject to the over riding conviction of the court, to breathe life into the adopted final written address.
Justice Christy Dabup approved the proposal, and allotted five minutes each to the parties to adumbrate.
In a quick reaction, the prosecuting counsel Jacob sought the leave of the court to adopt his case last and been given opportunity to respond to the issues that might have been raised by the 1sth and 2nd defendants in there separate adoptions.
At this stage Mike Ozehomie SAN, disagreed with Jacob’s proposal and advised him to complied with the court decision, but the prosecuting counsel was at this point speaking and shouting on top of his voice as all efforts to call him to order proved abortive.
At this point the Justice Christy Dabup abandoned the court and went into his inner chamber , while the court sitting was temporary brought to a close.
After five to ten minutes, the judge resumed sitting while the two legal gladiators apologize to the court for allowing their emotions to over ride their self-control. Justice Dabup accepted their sincere apology.
In his adoption of final written address, the 1st defendant who is the former Governor of the state, Jonah David Jang told the court to discharge and acquit him from all the charges brought against him by the prosecution because they lack base.
The 1st defendant who file his writing address on the 10th June,2022 represented his counsel Mike Ozehomie SAN said the for governor of the state did his best almost best during his administration with development project around the state for every citizens of the state to see that.
Ozehomie said it is very important to discharge the accused 1st defendant considering his enormous achievement as the first citizens of the state and senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 8th Assembly and he should be given more awards by the state and federal government for his developmental during his administration.
The counsel to the 1st defendant said despite not more than 30 pages of final written address approved by this honorable court the prosecuting counsel come up with almost 200 pages of final written address, a ploy he said to rope the 1st defendant in the case that was not earlier formulated by them which has woefully failed.
Ozehomie reiterated the need for the 1st defendant to be discharge and acquitted.
Yusuf Pam 2nd defendant standing trial along with the 1st defendant who was a cashier in the governor’s office asked the court to discharge and acquit him from all the charges leveled against him by the prosecuting counsel.
Speaking through his counsel S. Oyawole Mr Pam said all the money they alleged he launder was untrue.
Justice Dabup thereafter informed all the counsel that the High Court of Plateau State will be going on vacation and all the counsel consented that the judge could deliver judgment in the matter during vacation period. The judge thereafter adjourned the case for judgment to a date which will be communicated to the parties.
