ByTanko Shittu
The Plateau State High Court 5, presided over by Justice Daniel Longji, on Wednesday, admitted additional documentary evidence against Senator David Jang and Yusuf Pam, standing trail over financial crimes.
Recall that the court had adjourned Tuesday’s proceedings, to rule on the admissibility or otherwise of some additional bank statements of account with details of transactions by the former cashier in the office of the Secretary to the State Government.
Prosecution counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had sought to tender the documents to adding more evidence, while Defence Counsel to the accused, Mike Ozekhome, argued on the admissibility of the documents.
However, Justice Longi, ruled that the documents are admissible.
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The admitted the document as tendered by the plaintiff witness (PW3), Emmanuel Anjang, who is also the relation /marketing manager of Zenith Bank Nig plc, showing how serial withdrawals were made by the Second accused person, Yusuf Pam.
He said two accounts were opened on the instruction of the then Accountant General of the State.
He said: “The overhead account is sometimes for salaries, renovation of structures were the cashier Mr Yusuf Pam always make a withdrawal the following accounts, 1011363942 and 1013330838 and breakdown of transaction that include, Joe Vinam ltd. The first contractor is not Joe or Peace Hurage service because FIRS, BIRS, are also in the transactions.”
The witness said the second accused, Yusuf Pam, has made massive withdrawals, from the accounts between 2007 to the end of the first accused, (Jonah Jang’s) administration of Plateau State.
“He said the purpose of handling of the two accounts was for payment of political office holders and second for security payment, emoluments salaries which were reflected in best of my knowledge in wake of numerous crises that engulf the state.
When asked on an account known as PLASMEDA, he responded saying he was not aware of it.
“I don’t know the signatories to the project accounts of PLASMEDA, where funds are indiscriminately withdrawn,” adding that; “Mr Yusuf Pam still made withdrawal even when the tenure of Jang expired in May 29th 2015.”
Hearing on the matter was adjourned till Thursday, for continuation.
