PDP Demands Release Of Former Governor From EFCC Custody

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Plateau state Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the “immediate release” of former Plateau state governor, Da Jonah Jang from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, custody.

Jang who is currently representing Plateau North in the Senate, has since Monday been with the EFCC over alleged misappropriation of about 6.3 billion naira when he was the Governor of the state between 2007 and 2015.

The Plateau state PDP Chairman, Chief Damishi Sango, who addressed a press conference on Jang’s detention, described it as “unconstitutional”.

Sango said that the refusal of the commission to grant bail to the elder statesman was “a gross violation of his fundamental human rights”.

He said, “We consider the continued detention of Sen. Jang by the EFCC as unconstitutional, unlawful and gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

“It is very shocking and unbelievable that a sitting senator and elder statesman is being denied bail, access to his lawyers, family and even his medication. This is quite unfortunate.

“We have appealed to party supporters and family members to remain calm and shall continue to ensure that they remain so, but we want the EFCC to, as a matter of urgency, release Sen Jang,” Sango stated.

He alleged that Jang’s continued detention was “part of an orchestrated plan to clamp down on the opposition”, stating that Jang was entitled to bail on self-recognisance since he was a serving senator.

He said, “Jang is a former governor and a serving senator; there is no way he will jump bail,”.

The Chairman promised that PDP would continue to serve as a viable opposition and ensure a voice for the voiceless “no matter what happens”.