Eminent Nigerian politicians yesteday paid solidarity visits to the embattled Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Jonah Jang, in prison.
“Their visits came about five days after Justice Daniel Longji of the Plateau State High Court in Jos ordered Jang’s remand in the prison custody.” Punch reports.
Jang and a former cashier in the office of the Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Yusuf Pam, were ordered to be remanded in the prison custody of the Nigerian till Thursday, May 24, for ruling on their bail application.
They were both arraigned on 12 counts before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The charges border on alleged misuse of some special funds released to Plateau State by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The offences were said to have been perpetrated few months to the end of Jang’s tenure as governor in 2015.
When the 12 charges were read to them, Jang and Pam pleaded not guilty.
Among those who were said to have visited Jang in prison include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, a former Minister of Information and Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Chris Giwa and prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Others include a serving senators from the South-South and his colleagues in the National Assembly.
Sources told Punch most of the politicians donated money to the prison for the welfare of the inmates.
A popular politician and sports enthusiast in Plateau State was said to have caused a stir by throwing bundles of cash to the prisoners.
During the interdenominational church service held on Sunday, Jang was said to have prayed and preached to the congregation which had almost all the commissioners who were in his cabinet in attendance.
Sources said Jang remained lively and sometimes joined the inmates in playing football and exercises.
He was said to have settled the backlog of electricity bills and settled fines for over 50 inmates.
