Sequel to the continued detention
of the immediate past governor of Plateau State and senator representing
Plateau North, Jonah Jang by the EFCC, his aide on Monday threatened that there
would be a mass protest in Abuja if the lawmaker was not released immediately.
This threat was made by Jang’s
media consultant, Clinton Garuba, while addressing a press conference in Jos,
the state capital.
He said, “It is with a deep sense
of apprehension that I address you today on the critical subject of the
desperation of the APC Government as it relates to the continuous unlawful
detention of Senator Jonah David Jang the former Governor of Plateau State and
current Senator representing Plateau North Senatorial District in the red
chambers of the National Assembly by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission EFCC.”
It would recall that on Monday,
May 7, 2018, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, detained
Senator Jang after he honoured their invitation in Abuja.
Garuba continued, “Ever since he
has been unlawfully kept in their custody in flagrant disregard of the
constitution, and abuse of his fundamental human rights as a law abiding
citizen, especially when he has never failed to honour their numerous
invitations.
“You would also recall, that
Senator Jonah Jang issued an ultimatum to Minister of Information Lai Mohammed
stating his intention to seek legal redress if the Minister does not expunge
the Senator’s name from his infamous looters list released some weeks ago
wherein the Senator was said to have looted N12.5billion.
“Shortly after that, the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other
related crimes Commission ICPC, in what was a curiously dramatic and
braggadocios awakening swung into action inviting the Senator over the same
allegations he has generously given explanations to all along, leading to his
eventual detention.
“As a man fondly referred to by
many admirers as the Architect of Modern Plateau, for his transformational work
in the State, he has consistently availed himself whenever occasion demands to
give account of his meritorious service as Governor of Plateau State from
2007-2015, a period characterized by massive infrastructural development and
giant feats in the socio-economic lives of Plateau people.
“Definitely, that is not the kind
of man that should be detained for whatever reason.
“To detain him for a week today
is a crime against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which
provides for a citizen to be charged to court within one day as stated in
section 35(5)(a) of the 1999 constitution, as amended.
“For a government which has
legitimately earned for itself an enviable reputation as a lawbreaker and
usurper of the law, we are not surprised at all at the desperate tactics
deployed to deal with Senator Jonah Jang.
“For a government which revels in
the dehumanization of its citizens and oppression of perceived opponents, we
are not in the dark about its penchant for human rights abuses as witnessed in
the separate cases of the former NSA and the leader of the Islamic Movement of
Nigeria.
“A government renowned for using
deodorants in the its fight against corruption within the ranks of its
supporters, cronies, and hallelujah choristers, is not justified when it uses
insecticides against Senator Jang and those like him who speak truth to power.
“For the avoidance of doubts, the
man Jonah David Jang cannot be broken, dispirited, or intimidated.
“His resolve to be strong for his
people is intact. His opinion against a government which allows the killing of
innocents in the Middle-Belt is unchanged.
“His position against the
transfer of ancestral lands from the people of the Middle-Belt to herdsmen for
grazing reserves or colonies is emphatic.
“His criticism of the government
and its totalitarian tendencies is unstoppable. Therefore, his persecution in
the hands of the EFCC will not yield the intended result envisaged when the
plot was orchestrated”, he stressed.
“We find it most apt to call on
the EFCC to be as law abiding as Senator Jonah Jang by charging him to court
where he is ready to defend himself.
“This we believe will save
Nigerians the discomfort of following another boring misadventure typical of
the shameful theatrics that have pervaded our political landscape in recent
times making our country a laughing stock the in world.
“Failure to do so, we shall organize an
extraordinarily massive protest in the Federal Capital Territory to demand for
the immediate and unconditional release of the Senator,” the media aide warned.
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Please arrange the protest fast fast. The police are prepared with enough teargas.
ReplyDeleteBut don't go with asthmatic patient because media propaganda will not wake him/her up if he/she died in the protest.